Boris Johnson’s government has been holding daily news conferences outlining the latest steps being taken in the battle against coronavirus.
The daily briefings in Downing Street have been running since March 16.
While journalists initially attended in person, they are now dialling in via video link to put their questions to ministers and professors.
The briefings aim to advise the public on “on how to protect themselves”, as well as announcing latest measures to help people, whether medical or financial. Number 10 has said they will continue “as long as necessary”.
What time is the coronavirus daily briefing and how can I watch it?
The government has said that the daily briefings will take place between 4pm and 6pm. A government spokesperson has said they would like to “see the briefings held at a consistent time”.
Today’s briefing (April 2) is expected to be at around 5pm.
You can watch the daily briefings live on the Mirror Politics Facebook page.
The briefings are also shown live on BBC1, BBC News and Sky News as well as other news channels’ Facebook and YouTube pages.
Who will host the coronavirus daily update?
Most have been led by the Prime Minister, often appearing alongside the government’s Chief Medical Adviser, Chris Whitty, and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallence.
However Mr Johnson and Mr Whitty have both in isolation since last week after testing positive for Covid-19.
(Image: PA)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also fronted some of the press conferences.
In recent days Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, have also replaced the Prime Minister.
Today’s briefing is reported to be fronted by Health Secretary Matt Hancock who is out of isolation today after testing positive last week.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries has often appeared in place of Mr Whitty.
Coronavirus updates
Today it’s been confirmed that another 569 people have died in hospital, bringing the death toll in the UK to 2,921.
The figures are correct as of 5pm yesterday.
The Department of Health added: “As of 9am on 2 April 2020, 163,194 people have been tested, of which 33,718 were confirmed positive.”
There’s growing anger over the personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing for NHS staff, with 2,800 now tested out of a workforce of more than 1million.
Mr Johnson continues to display symptoms in self-isolation in Downing Street.
Britons will take part in another “clap for our carers” celebration on Thursday night to pay tribute to key workers, including NHS, emergency services and food distribution staff.
What happened yesterday?
In yesterday’s press conference, Business Secretary Alok Sharma was unable to explain why the UK is so far behind other countries in testing to see who has coronavirus.
Just 2,000 NHS staff have been tested so far out of around a quarter of a million with the UK testing 10,000 people a day, compared to 70,000 in Germany.
Tests of frontline staff currently make up around 500 of the 10,000 daily tests meaning thousands of medics are currently isolating when they could be treating patiets.
It was also revealed that the number of car journeys has increased for the first time in two weeks.
Meanwhile Mr Sharma warned banks that it is ‘completely unacceptable’ to fail to lend to businesses hit by coronavirus.
He told financial institutions that they must pass on government backed loans to small companies.
“It would be completely unacceptable if any banks were unfairly refusing funds to good businesses in financial difficulty,” he said.
“Just as the taxpayer stepped in to help the banks back in 2008, we will work with the banks to do everything they can to repay that favour and support businesses and people of the UK in their time of need.”
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