Minister downplays national differences
CONSENSUS FRAYS ON APPROACH TO EASING LOCKDOWN
His comments came after the devolved administration in Wales announced “modest adjustments” to the restrictions on movement, put in place across the UK to stem the transmission of coronavirus.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the three changes, coming into force on Monday, included allowing more than one form of exercise per day and permitting garden centres and public libraries to reopen.
But in Scotland, only alterations to exercise guidance are expected, while those in Northern Ireland have been told there will be just “nuanced changes” to the clampdown on movement.
The announcements came around 48 hours before Boris Johnson is due to declare the result of the
UK Government’s review into rule changes for England.
The PM has promised to exercise “maximum caution” when tinkering with the restrictions but paved the way this week for the devolved nations to move at “different speeds” when releasing the lockdown as long as “there is evidence that supports” the decision.
Mr Eustice, in a bid to combat fears that UK leaders were fracturing in their approach to dealing with Covid-19, said the public should not get “worked up” that the four nations were choosing to announce changes at different intervals.
He said: “Generally speaking we’ve taken similar approaches, even though there have been slight differences. I don’t think we need to get too worked up about timings of different announcements, Scotland made some comments last week, Wales has today.
“The Prime Minister will be setting out his approach and that road map and how we intend to evolve these restrictions on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, the Government confirmed it had missed its 100,000 daily testing target for the sixth day in a row, carrying out 97,029 tests in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday.