What did Grant Shapps say in today’s coronavirus press briefing?
DAILY press briefings are given by the government to inform the public on any updates on coronavirus. Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps chaired the briefing and revealed a new transport programme. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates What time was the press briefing today? The coronavirus daily briefing took […]
DAILY press briefings are given by the government to inform the public on any updates on coronavirus.
Today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps chaired the briefing and revealed a new transport programme.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
What time was the press briefing today?
The coronavirus daily briefing took place at 4pm today.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson is due to address the nation about the state of lockdown ‘as an update from the Prime Minister on the coronavirus epidemic’ on BBC One on Sunday from 7pm, lasting around 10 minutes.
What happened at today’s press briefing?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps chaired Saturday’s press briefing at No10 Downing Street, and he was joined by medical professionals working with the Government.
He announced a £2billion package to put walking and cycling at the heart of our transport policy and to encourage people to cycle and walk to work extra safety measures will be put in place.
Shapps also said the public transport capacity will be severely restricted to just a tenth of what it was before the lockdown and emerging from lockdown will be a ‘gradual process’.
What happened at yesterday’s briefing?
Brexit
The Environment Secretary insisted the government would continue with Brexit, despite the ongoing pandemic.
He said: “We’re still going ahead with it. Brexit is in fact something that happened in January.”
Easing lockdown
When asked what Boris Johnson would be discussing in his speech on Sunday, May 10, 2020, Mr Eustic revealed the prime minister would unveil his plans for relaxing lockdown.
“He’s going to set out effectively a roadmap of how we can evolve our restrictions at the moment,” he explained.
“There isn’t going to be any dramatic overnight change.”
He added: “The PM will be setting out a timetable.”
Fast-food chains reopening
Mr Eustic was quizzed on fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s, KFC and Costa reopening for delivery and drive-thru.
The Environment Secretary made a point of saying that the government had not forced these chains to close.
However, he explained that fast-food restaurants are not essential but could operate “safely” in the current climate.
“It is quite possible for these venues to reopen and reopen safely. We never mandated they should close,” he said.
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Bank holiday weekend
The Environment Secretary urged Brits to stay at home this weekend, despite the predicted warm weather.
He said it is “vitally important” the public continues to follow guidelines in spite of the “sunny bank holiday weekend”.
