By Ben Kerrigan-
The daily Downing Street press conference on coronavirus is over, the government has announced.
Boris Johnson led the final regular briefing today, stating that from now on televised briefings will be given on an “ad hoc” basis to “coincide with significant announcements,” Downing Street said.
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There have been 92 briefings, and two national addresses by the prime minister.
Millions of viewers had tuned in to the conferences at 5pm each day throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, as the government was routinely questioned about different aspects of the outbreak.
Prime Minister, Mr Johnson, thanked Prof Whitty and Sir Patrick for their “heroic work in presenting information to the public so clearly and so powerfully”.
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He added that there will “certainly” be more local outbreaks and “I don’t think, therefore, that you have seen the last of us by any means but they will not be happening as often as they have”.
The daily briefings had become a regular feature of every day television at the height of the pandemic, keeping millions glued to their television screens to catch every bit of news directly from the British government.
When the prime minister was hospitalised with the virus, he was replaced by Dominic Raab, who led the briefings for weeks until Boris Johnson’s recovery in May.
The easing of the lockdown means those briefings are no longer necessary, at least not at the same level of frequency as previously.
The impact of the virus is much improved, but not completely over as infections continue to be reported across the Uk, but are now back to pre-lockdown levels.
With cinemas and pubs due to re-open in just over a week, the country will not be in the mood to hear more briefings about the virus.
As from July 4, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers can open from 4 July in England, when social distancing rules will be eased.
Remaining closed until further notice will be nightclubs, casinos, Bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks . Indoor play areas including soft-play Nail bars and beauty salons Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours.
One Metre Plus
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should remain 2m apart where possible but a “one metre plus” rule would be introduced.
Two households in England will also be able to meet indoors and stay overnight – with social distancing.
The prime minister warned that all the steps were “reversible”.
The government’s chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said the relaxation represented a “reasonable balance of risk”.
Image: PA video/PA wire
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