Boris Johnson is fighting back against criticism that he has been slow to respond to coronavirus by unveiling a government action plan to tackle the spread of the disease.
After chairing a COBRA meeting of senior ministers, he will announce a six-point plan at a Downing Street news conference alongside the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.
Following the COBRA meeting, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is also pledging more funds to fight the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and has promised a big injection of cash in next week's budget.
It comes as the number of confirmed cases in the UK hit 39. The latest confirmed by a school in Devon after a pupil travelled from northern Italy.
Emergency measures in the PM's plan include a Cabinet Office war room, more home working and curbs on travel, bringing NHS staff out of retirement and bigger class sizes in schools.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted some of the planned action would be "uncomfortable" but insisted the government was "quite prepared to do that if it's necessary".
However, speaking to Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast show, he said ministers hadn't yet ruled out "succeeding in containing the disease" at its current relatively low level.
Mr Hancock said the government was seeking "as targeted as an approach as possible" with the focus on elderly and vulnerable people, who are likely to see the biggest impact from the virus.
Despite the prospect of large gatherings of people being banned - including the cancellation of sports events - as well as schools being closed, Mr Hancock said it was "important not to overreact as well as not to underreact".
It follows reports Britons are stockpiling food from supermarkets.
It would "not help" at the moment to cancel big gatherings or close schools where there hasn't been a positive case of coronavirus, with Mr Hancock saying the government would "follow the science" in issuing advice.
"The plan for now is really clear; which is wash your hands and if you have a cough or a sneeze to catch it, and to follow the public health advice if you travel to one of the most affected areas," the health secretary added.
"Other than that carry on your normal business."
Mr Hancock said the government was not advising people to cease shaking hands with others, as the risk was "negligible" if people wash their hands regularly.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Ahead of his announcement, the prime minister said: "It is highly likely coronavirus will spread more widely in the coming days and weeks, which is why we're making every possible preparation.
"We have agreed a plan, which I will set out in detail, so if the virus should spread, we are ready to take necessary steps to contain it and protect the most vulnerable.
"But we can all continue to do our bit to fight this virus - by washing our hands with soap and water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice."
Mr Johnson will announce that later this week a major public information campaign will be launched setting out clear steps the public can take to limit the spread of the virus, including washing hands regularly with soap and water.
He will also say emergency legislation will be published in the coming weeks to ensure government has all the necessary powers to prepare for and tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
And the prime minister will declare that measures already set out as part of the plan include:
- Every government department having a designated minister to oversee the response to the global threat of the virus, for instance on schools or businesses
- A war room set up in the Cabinet Office, bringing together communications experts and scientists from across government and the NHS to roll out the public information campaign
- Coronavirus being a standing item on the weekly cabinet agenda, with the PM continuing to oversee the government approach
- The option, should the virus spread, to encourage more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a "social distancing" strategy that could delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year, potentially helping combat the virus in warmer weather conditions
- Looking at emergency registration of health professionals who have retired, the introduction of emergency indemnity coverage for health care workers to provide care or diagnostic services and relaxation of rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and childcare settings
- After being accused by Jeremy Corbyn of being a "part-time prime minister" Mr Johnson has in recent days visited Kettering General Hospital where he met NHS frontline staff and saw their new coronavirus pod, a special sterile cabin outside the hospital, where people can go to be checked
- He has also visited Public Health England's laboratory in Colindale, north London, one of a number of labs across the UK where tests are carried out to confirm or rule out coronavirus, and the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, where he met staff treating patients with the virus
Promising the NHS and scientists the resources they need to respond to the virus, Mr Sunak said: "The whole of government is working closely together to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
"We understand that people across the country are worried, but I assure you that we are taking firm action to support your families, your businesses and the public services on which you rely.
"We are well prepared for this global threat and, as the wider economic picture becomes clearer, we stand ready to announce further support where needed."
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays.
"plan" - Google News
March 03, 2020 at 02:17PM
https://ift.tt/2Tiw2dp
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to reveal government plan to tackle outbreak of COVID-19 - Sky News
"plan" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2un5VYV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to reveal government plan to tackle outbreak of COVID-19 - Sky News"
Post a Comment