Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, is leading today’s coronavirus daily press briefing
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is joined by the UK’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who are taking to their podiums at the briefing to update the press and public on the UK government’s response to the coronavirus.
He says it has been following the medical and scientific advice all the time and taking each decision “at the right moment”.
Mr Raab calls the COVID-19 outbreak:
“the greatest global challenge in a generation”.
He says there are an “unprecedented” number of UK travelers trying to get home – hundreds of thousands of people, from young backpackers to couples on cruises.
“This government, their government, is working around the clock to support, advise and help British travellers get home.”
The Foreign secretary has said that the UK government is pledging £75 million to help UK nationals overseas by using a travel company to charter rescue flights when there are no other routes available.
British Airways, Virgin, EasyJet, Jet2 and Titan Airways have all agreed.
Where commercial flights are no longer running, the UK government will fund special charter flights that will be arranged and promoted through the embassy or high commission in the country they are stuck in.
He wants them to be “affordable” so people can pay through a special travel company.
Raab urges people to follow the local British embassy or high commission on social media for up to date information.
The UK’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance says there has been a “dramatic fall-off” in the use of the London Underground, as well as a decrease in the use of buses, national rail, and motor vehicles.
He says it shows the measures being put in place are “making a difference”
Sir Patrick says the measures that have been taken are having a very big effect on contacts between people and points to the numbers using transport.
However he says it is “premature” to put a time on how long the measures will last for.
Dominic Raab adds that the more members of the public follow the guidance, the quicker we will be able to ease these restriction.
More to Come soon…
