Coronavirus Latest: Health Secretary, Queen Elizabeth Encourage Britons To Stay at Home

Health Secretary Matt Hancock Confirms No Plan to Tighten Lockdown Rules

On media reports coming in about the Britons stepping out of the home to enjoy the warm spring weather, the health official threatened to ban outdoor exercise in a bid to contain coronavirus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that the UK Government might have to impose stricter guidelines if too many people continue to flout lockdown rules. But just hours after the warning, Hancock backed down from his earlier statement and stated that a tightening of rules is not ‘imminent’ since the vast majority of people have shown reverence in following a nationwide lockdown guideline.

Earlier, Hancock had suggested to put further restrictions on the outdoor exercise rules after media reports on Sunday revealed that people are having a sunbathe in parks and gathering in groups to enjoy sunny weather. The reports showed that Britons were taking advantage of the current rules that allow them to run, walk or cycle outdoors once in a day; designed to ensure the well-being of people’s mental and physical state.

In the recent media briefing in Downing Street, Hancock backed down on warnings to prohibit outdoor exercise during the lockdown. He, however, urged people not to break the rules as it could heighten the cataclysmic wave of contagion coronavirus.

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed a report of further 621 deaths due to the coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths to 4,934 in the United Kingdom (UK). The officials explained their concern about infection community transmission if people do not follow the rules of ‘social-distancing’ dutifully.

Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, stated that people should take responsible actions as it would become very difficult to prevent the spread of the epidemic and bend the curve down if they don’t stop leaving their homes unless in exceptional circumstances.

The transmission of coronavirus could be direct through person to person or indirect through touching the object that might have the microscopic virus on it; hand to mouth is considered as one of the major pathways to the virus spread. To date, no vaccine has been discovered that could cure the disease; therefore, the governments around the globe are adopting measures to prevent the spread as it is the only resort available for now.

Hancock said that the exit strategy of lockdown could be set only when the curve of coronavirus cases gets flatten. Taking note of the current situation, Hancock added that a large number of people are following the government’s guidelines on social-distancing, but there is a need for everyone to adhere to those rules and break the chain of virus spread.

Queen Elizabeth praises NHS workers and citizens during coronavirus crisis

In a rare event, Queen Elizabeth addressed the country during the time of coronavirus crisis in a special speech on Sunday, 5 April 2020. Her Majesty broadcasts a message annually on the occasion of Christmas and has sent across an off-calendar message just three times in her entire 68 years on the throne.

This has been only the fourth time that Queen Elizabeth has recorded outside of her Christmas broadcasts to praise National Health Service (NHS) and citizens for following the official guidance of lockdown. The monarch emphasised on the collective efforts of the nation and its people that attributes of good-humored resolve, of self-discipline and of fellow-feeling for others in this increasingly challenging time.

She praised NHS workers and those on the coronavirus front line, carrying out essential roles in an efforts to contain the spread. Queen termed the gesture of applaud for NHS workers as ‘expression of national spirit.’ The 93-year old also acknowledged the disruption in the life of millions that includes grief to some, financial distress to many, and massive change to day-to-day lives of all.

In a four-minute speech, Her Majesty reaffirmed that if the people remain united and resolute, the country will overcome the challenging time of coronavirus crisis. The message was broadcasted at Windsor Castle by BBC Studios in a room setting to ensure a significant distance between the Queen and the sole cameraman in the room.

Recently, on returning from self-isolation, Prince Charles digitally-marked the inauguration of a temporary hospital facility, NHS Nightingale Hospital, located at the ExCel Centre in east London. The heir to the throne shared his personal experience of being tested positive for coronavirus, but now recovered. He said that he had been a lucky one to have relatively mild COVID-19, but for many, it has been a much harder journey. He added that the hospital is named after the Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp, which signifies hope to thousands in their darkest hour.

Prince Charles stated that the epidemic had brought a challenging situation for millions of people. Nobody knows when it would end, but end it will, he added. He further urged people to try and live with hope and faith in themselves and others.

FTSE Stocks Trading in Green on London Stock Exchange

London Stock Exchange started the week in green, driving positive market sentiments on the signs of slowing new coronavirus cases and deaths in the United Kingdom (UK). The benchmark FTSE 100 rose 107.10 points or 1.98 per cent to trade at 5,522.60 points as at 6 April 2020 (1:08 PM GMT).

Let’s have a look at top 5 top gainers and losers as at 6 April 2020 (1:08 PM GMT).

Top Gainers

Top Losers

At the time of writing, FTSE 250 has gained as much as 639.95 points or 4.54 per cent in a day trading session to trade at 14,739.16 points. FTSE AIM All-Share Index is up 17.76 points or 2.68 per cent to trade at 676.92 as on Monday, 6 April 2020.

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