Dominic Raab led the daily press conference this afternoon confirming that the existing social distancing measures have been successful in slowing down the rate of infection however relaxing the measures early would damage public health and also the economy.
He then confirmed the extension will continue for the following three weeks, until at least May 7.
Mr Raab said: “We’ve come too far, we’ve lost too many loved ones to ease up now, especially when we’re beginning to see that our efforts are starting to pay off.
“If we rush to relax the measures we have in place, we would risk sacrificing the progress we’ve made.
“We need to be patient a while longer, so please please stay at home, save lives and protect the NHS.”
The length of extension was inevitable following on from Nicola Sturgeon speaking out earlier today confirming that no matter what the government decides, Scotland will remain on lockdown for another three weeks commenting “COBRA will meet later on and other governments will have to make their own decisions.
“My clear advice is that we must continue the lockdown measures for at least another three weeks.”
