Britain’s coronavirus lockdown was extended on Thursday by a further three weeks amid warnings that the outbreak was still at a “dangerous stage” and an economically disastrous second peak remained a risk if restrictions were lifted now.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said that public health and economic security dictated that the lockdown should extend into early May. He repeated previous statements from Boris Johnson that the disease might not be fully contained until June.
Mr Raab, who is deputising for the prime minister while he recovers from his Covid-19 illness, said allowing a second peak of infections would be “the worst outcome not just for public health but for the economy”, adding: “Let’s not give coronavirus a second chance.”