UK lockdown extended for three more weeks

Government has announced that the coronavirus lockdown in the United Kingdom has been extended for at least three more weeks to ensure the safety of the public during the ongoing epidemic.

Dominic Raab, foreign secretary, who is deputising for prime minister Boris Johnson made the announcement in the latest meeting on Covid-19. As we're at the peak of the coronavirus epidemic, the extended lockdown is expected to help protect us.

He said: "The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for at least the next three weeks."

Mr Rabb said the government must be satisfied of the following five things before considering lifting lockdown rules, these are:

Confidence that the NHS can still provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment across the UK
Need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident we are beyond the peak
Reliable data from SAGE that the infection rate has decreased to manageable levels
Testing capacity and PPE is in hand to meet supply for future demand
Not risk a second peak of infection that overwhelms the NHS

Your mental health is important to us. If you are struggling during this lockdown, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123.