Matt Hancock

Deaths yday (Friday) only 204. New cases 1505. So same story: coming down but slowly. R very close to one - hence the slow decline.

So I think Slackie and Lee have a point.

I am very worried about a free-for-all around non essential retail. The rules BEIS put in place were far too slack. But I accept we have to let them start to come back. I think it’s too soon for outdoor hospitality and they’re not expecting it until next month. There aren’t even guidelines in place, or the legal change. Everyone’s accepted there won’t be more on schools until Sept.

Then we could do a bit more for families eg on camping & zoos.

But all in all, with R just below 1, if we go ahead with non essential retail on 15 June, then we are sailing very close to the wind. My view is the public are right and we need to hold our nerve. 06/06/2020 15:45