Q. Scott in Devon asks PM if we can see friends and family in the park if following social distancing?
A. You can go to park to:
-Exercise on your own.
-Or with members of own household.
-But if you want to meet others it should just be you and 1 person from another household.
A. You can go to park to:
-Exercise on your own.
-Or with members of own household.
-But if you want to meet others it should just be you and 1 person from another household.
Q. Simon in Essex asks: will schools start to accept kids when their parents are from sectors now being encouraged to return to work?
PM doesn't really answer the question, but sounds like a no. Not until June at earliest for nursery, reception and primary years 1 & 6.
PM doesn't really answer the question, but sounds like a no. Not until June at earliest for nursery, reception and primary years 1 & 6.
Q. Pooja from Solihull asks a slightly critical question about when we'll get more clarity about which business can open.
A. PM says it's an excellent question, and we're moving into a 'more complicated' phase. Reiterates new advice.
A. PM says it's an excellent question, and we're moving into a 'more complicated' phase. Reiterates new advice.
In response to @bbclaurak question about confusion, PM says 'of course' original message was simple and stark.
Reemphasises message that if you can't work from home, think about going back to work.
Reemphasises message that if you can't work from home, think about going back to work.
Laura K asks whether CMO and CSA approved 'stay alert' message.
Patrick Vallance says he and Chris Whitty were consulted on all govt's plan. Doesn't answer whether he approved that phrase.
Whitty says he is not a 'comms expert' so suggests he didn't approve 'stay alert' either.
Patrick Vallance says he and Chris Whitty were consulted on all govt's plan. Doesn't answer whether he approved that phrase.
Whitty says he is not a 'comms expert' so suggests he didn't approve 'stay alert' either.
Sky's @BethRigby asks whether we should prepare for permanent changes to our lives.
PM: Even after 18 years we don't have a vaccine for SARS but UK is at front of international effort to develop a vaccine.
'I can't say' that we won't be living with this for quite some time.
PM: Even after 18 years we don't have a vaccine for SARS but UK is at front of international effort to develop a vaccine.
'I can't say' that we won't be living with this for quite some time.
.@BethRigby asks about level of infection.
Vallance says ONS study suggests 130K may currently have infection. Anti-body tests (poss out of date) suggests 10% in London, and on average 4% in country.
Whitty: I'm v confident we'll find a solution to this threat. But takes time.
Vallance says ONS study suggests 130K may currently have infection. Anti-body tests (poss out of date) suggests 10% in London, and on average 4% in country.
Whitty: I'm v confident we'll find a solution to this threat. But takes time.
Q. Alex in Lake District asks about how far people can travel, and threat to tourist spots like her community in Cumbria.
A. All trips need to be members of one household and include social distancing.
A. All trips need to be members of one household and include social distancing.
Q. Megan in Nuneaton asks if restrictions have eased for old and particularly vulnerable people.
A. PM: We've always said over 70s should take care but not shield. Approx 1m 'at risk' people should stay shielded.
A. PM: We've always said over 70s should take care but not shield. Approx 1m 'at risk' people should stay shielded.
Q. Natasha from Richmond asks where seeing family again fits into lockdown plan, and why as a primary school teacher she can mix with kids but not her own family.
A. New flexibilities mean people can see those outside their household. But 1 on 1, outdoors and socially distanced.
A. New flexibilities mean people can see those outside their household. But 1 on 1, outdoors and socially distanced.
Whitty says slow return of primary schools is unlikely to increase 'R' rate but needs to be done carefully.
Says govt are consulting on individual risks. As with all of society, you can never reduce risk to zero.
Vallance: Schools are relatively small part of total spread.
Says govt are consulting on individual risks. As with all of society, you can never reduce risk to zero.
Vallance: Schools are relatively small part of total spread.
Q. John in Midlothan asks about 'conflicting statements' between PM Johnson and FM Sturgeon. Who should I listen to?
A. Entirely right devolved admins should take slightly different approaches. All 4 nations determined to find UK-wide solution.
A. Entirely right devolved admins should take slightly different approaches. All 4 nations determined to find UK-wide solution.
Q. Peter in Derry/Londonderry asks how quarantine policy for people coming into UK could affect borders.
A. PM: No checks between Ireland and UK or between GB and NI.
A. PM: No checks between Ireland and UK or between GB and NI.
Q. The Sun's @tnewtondunn asks about impact on job losses and whether there will be new schemes to help people.
A. PM: UK is unique in way it's helped people in key sectors with furloughing programme. 'We really do want to look after the working people of this country'.
A. PM: UK is unique in way it's helped people in key sectors with furloughing programme. 'We really do want to look after the working people of this country'.
Asked about recovery rate, Prof Whitty says: A significant proportion of people will not get this virus. Some will get it without knowing. Of those with symptoms, approx 80% will have mild or moderate disease.
Even for highest risk people, clear majority will not die.
Even for highest risk people, clear majority will not die.
Pushed by @tnewtondunn on daily recovery rates, Whitty says we have recovery rate data of people who go to hospital. But that is v severe end of spectrum. Many people won't enter statistics, but more will now that we have better testing capacity.
PM says they will publish stats.
PM says they will publish stats.
Q. @GuardianHeather asks if burden of virus is falling on poor.
A. PM: No question it's falling hardest on certain groups. Need to address that.
We are categorical workplaces should be safe & COVID-secure. Employers won't be allowed to force people to work in bad conditions.
A. PM: No question it's falling hardest on certain groups. Need to address that.
We are categorical workplaces should be safe & COVID-secure. Employers won't be allowed to force people to work in bad conditions.
