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11.03.2020
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Merkel
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Angela Merkel calls for solidarity
Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the everybody in Germany to demonstrate solidarity and thus delay the spread of the coronavirus. We must try to buy time and minimise the strain on the health system, she said. This will protect elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions.
"The yardsticks for our actions are set by what we are told by scientists and experts," explained Chancellor Angela Merkel at a joint press conference with Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and the President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar H. Wieler. The virus has now reached all of Europe, so it is now a question of dealing with it.
We still have no vaccine and no treatment. If this remains the case, it is probable, as we know from other epidemics, that a high percentage of the population will become infected. Experts forecast between 60 and 70 per cent. Nevertheless, what we do now is not immaterial, said the Chancellor.
Buying time – taking precautions
"It is all about buying time," explained Angela Merkel. The procedures adopted in Germany are guided by the aim of minimising the strain on our health system. We can do this by delaying the spread of the virus – for instance by cancelling events that involve large gatherings of people.
The Chancellor stressed that measures are geared in particular at protecting elderly people and people with pre-existing conditions. "This is a test for our solidarity, our common sense, and our empathy and consideration for one another." The Chancellor thanked all the medical staff who are already under "enormous pressure" and all those who are working to care for the sick and to contain the virus.
Coordinated actions
Coordinated action is important at every level of government. The Chancellor advocated comparable action in all federal states wherever possible. "I believe it would be good from national to local level to follow the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute and to let these guide our actions." It is really not the worst thing in the world if football matches cannot be held as usual. "If that means we can help ensure that people who are sick, or elderly people do not find themselves in a situation where we might no longer have appropriate medical treatment, then that is exactly the sort of action we need at this time," said the Chancellor.
Renouncing elements of everyday life
"The virus is here, and we’re going to have to deal with it," stressed Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. The speed at which it spreads will be a major factor in determining how well the health system can cope with it. That is why it is important for everybody to give up some elements of their everyday life, in order to protect themselves and others. "We must balance restrictions and limitations on the one hand with the need for everyday life to continue on the other," said Jens Spahn.
Angela Merkel pointed out that one focus must be on research. 140 million euros are now available for vaccination programmes. We still know too little about the novel virus, but we are gradually discovering more and "assessments of the situation are becoming clearer".
Private sector must not be left alone
The virus is leaving its mark on the economy too, which is why the government has acted swiftly. The Chancellor pointed to the introduction of less stringent rules for short-time work allowance, to Germany’s good social welfare system and to the fact that workers continue to receive payment during sickness.
Before the end of the week, the German government is to provide liquidity assistance for companies, in particular through the state-owned Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The heads of state and government of EU member states have agreed to adopt a flexible approach to the Stability and Growth Pact and to rules on state aid.
On Friday evening Angela Merkel is to meet with employers and trade unions to consider additional measures to address the economic consequences of the corona crisis.
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18.03.2020
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Merkel
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Fellow citizens,
The coronavirus is changing daily life in our country dramatically at the present. Our idea of normality, of public life, social togetherness - all of this is being put to the test as never before.
Millions of you cannot go to work, your children cannot go to school or kindergarten, theatres and cinemas and shops are closed, and, perhaps what is most difficult, we all miss social encounters that we otherwise take for granted. Of course, each of us has many questions and concerns in a situation like this, about the days ahead.
I’m addressing you in this unconventional way today because I want to tell you what guides me as Federal Chancellor and all my colleagues in the Federal Government in this situation. This is part of what open democracy is about: that we make political decisions transparent and explain them. That we justify and communicate our actions as best we can, so that people are able to understand them.
I firmly believe that we will pass this test if all citizens genuinely see this as THEIR task.
Allow me therefore to say that this is serious. Please also take this seriously. Since German reunification, no, since the Second World War, there has not been a challenge for our country in which action in a spirit of solidarity on our part was so important.
I would like explain where we currently stand in this epidemic and what the Federal Government and the state levels are doing to protect everyone in our community and to limit the economic, social and cultural fallout. However, I also want to tell you why all of you are needed here, and what each and every individual can do to help.
As far as the epidemic is concerned – and everything I tell you about this comes from the Federal Government’s ongoing consultations with the experts from the Robert Koch Institute and other scientists and virologists: the most intensive research is being conducted around the world, but there is still neither a way to treat the coronavirus, nor is there a vaccine.
As long as this is the case – and this is what is guiding all of our actions – then only one thing matters, namely that we slow the spread of the virus, flatten the curve over the course of several months and buy time. Time in which the research community can develop a medicine and vaccine. But, above all, time to allow those who fall ill to receive the best possible treatment.
Germany has an excellent healthcare system, perhaps one of the best in the world. We can take solace in this. But our hospitals would also be completely overwhelmed if, in the shortest space of time, too many patients were admitted, suffering severe symptoms as a result of the virus.
These are not just abstract numbers in statistics, but this is about a father or grandfather, a mother or grandmother, a partner – this is about people. And we are a community in which each life and each person counts.
I would like first of all to address all those who as doctors, nurses or in a different capacity work in our hospitals and in our healthcare system in general. You are on the front lines of this fight for us. You are the first to see the sick and to see how severe the symptoms of the virus can sometimes be. And, day in, day out, you keep going back to work and are there to help people. You are doing tremendous work, and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So, our aim is to slow the virus down as it makes its way through Germany. And we must, and this is absolutely vital, focus our attention on one thing above all else, namely powering down public life as far as possible. With reason and a sense of proportion, of course, since the state will continue to function. It goes without saying that supply chains will continue to be guaranteed, and we want to keep as much economic activity going as possible.
But we must now reduce everything that could put people at risk, everything that could harm not only individuals, but also the community. We must limit the risk of one person infecting another as much as we possibly can.
I know how dramatic the restrictions already are: no events, no trade fairs, no concerts any more, and, for the time being, also no school, no university, no kindergarten, no more playing at the playground. I know how invasive the closures that the Federation and the Länder have agreed to are in our lives, and also in terms of how we see ourselves as a democracy. These are restrictions, the likes of which the Federal Republic has never seen before.
Allow me to assure you that, for someone like me, for whom the freedom of travel and the freedom of movement were a hard-fought right, such restrictions can only be justified if they are absolutely imperative. These should never be put in place lightly in a democracy and should only be temporary. - But they are vital at the moment in order to save lives.
This is why, since the beginning of the week, more intensive border controls and restrictions on entry for a number of our most important neighbouring countries have been in force.
Things are already very difficult for the economy, for major companies, and also for small businesses, for shops, restaurants and freelancers. Things will get even more difficult in the weeks to come.
I assure you that the Federal Government is doing everything that it can to cushion the economic impact - and, above all, to safeguard jobs.
We can and we will do whatever it takes in order to help our companies and their employees get through this most difficult time.
And everyone can rest assured that the food supply is guaranteed at all times, and that if supermarket shelves happen to be empty on one day, they will be filled again on the next. I want to tell everyone going to the supermarket that bulk-buying makes sense; it always has. But only within reason. Panic buying, as if there’s no tomorrow, is pointless and, at the end of the day, shows a complete lack of solidarity.
And allow me to express my thanks to those who are too seldom thanked. Those working as supermarket cashiers or restocking shelves, who are currently doing one of the most difficult jobs that there are at the moment. Thank you for being there for your fellow citizens and for keeping us all going.
Let me talk now about what I believe is most urgent today. All measures taken by the state would come to nothing if we were to fail to use the most effective means for preventing the virus from spreading too rapidly – and that is we ourselves. As indiscriminately as each one of us can be affected by the virus, each and every one of us must help. First and foremost, by taking seriously what matters today. Not panicking, but also not thinking for a single moment that he or she doesn’t matter after all. No one is expendable. Everyone counts, and we need a collective effort.
That is the message an epidemic brings home – how vulnerable we all are, how much we depend on the considerate behaviour of others and, ultimately, how, through joint action, we can protect ourselves and offer one another encouragement and support.
Every individual counts. We are not condemned to accept the spread of this virus as an inevitable fact of life. We have the means to fight it. We must be considerate and keep a safe distance from one another. Virologists are giving us clear advice: no more handshakes, we must wash our hands thoroughly and often, and we must keep at least one and a half metre’s distance between ourselves and others. Ideally, we should avoid all contact with the elderly, because they are particularly at risk.
I know that this is asking a great deal of us. Especially when times are hard, we want to be close to one another. We show affection by staying close, and by reaching out to each other. But at this time, we must do the exact opposite. Every single one of us must understand that, right now, the only way to show we care is by keeping our distance.
A well-meant visit or a trip that is not essential can spread infection and really should not take place right now. There is a reason why experts say that grandparents and grandchildren should not come into contact with each other right now.
Everyone who avoids unnecessary encounters helps all those who are in hospitals providing care to more and more people each day. So that is how we will save lives. This will be difficult for many, and it will also be important not to abandon anyone and to take care of all those who need a dose of cheer and encouragement. As families, and as a society, we will find other ways to help each other.
Even now, we have come up with many creative ideas for standing up to this virus and its impact on society. Even now, grandchildren are recording podcasts for their grandparents, letting them know they are not alone.
We all must discover how we can show affection and express friendship. We are staying in touch via Skype, phone, email, and maybe also by writing old-fashioned letters. The post, after all, is being delivered. We’re hearing about beautiful examples of neighbours helping one another. People are assisting the elderly who cannot themselves go shopping. I am certain there’s plenty more we can do. We will prove, as a community, that we will not abandon one another.
I therefore urge you to abide by the rules that will remain in place for the time being. The government will constantly reassess what measures can be adjusted and also what further measures may still be necessary.
This is a developing situation, and we will ensure that we continue to learn from it so that we can adjust our thinking and deploy new instruments at any time. If we do so, then we will explain our reasons once again.
Therefore, I call on you to not believe any rumours, but rather only the official messages that we will always translate into many languages.
We are a democracy. We thrive not because we are forced to do something, but because we share knowledge and encourage active participation. This is a historic task, and it can only be mastered if we face it together.
I have absolutely no doubt that we will overcome this crisis. But how many victims will it claim? How many loved ones will we lose? The answer, to a great extent, lies in our hands. Right now, we can take decisive action all together. We can accept these current limitations and support one another.
The situation is serious, and the outcome uncertain.
Our success will also largely depend on how disciplined each and every one of us is in following the rules.
Even though this is something we have never experienced before, we must show that we can act warm-heartedly and rationally – and thereby save lives. It is up to each and every one of us to do so, without any exception.
Take good care of yourself and your loved ones.
Thank you.
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03.04.2020
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Merkel
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Good afternoon to you all,
I’m happy to be able to address you from the Federal Chancellery again today. My home quarantine is over, and I am well. I now have an inkling of what it’s like to spend two weeks alone at home, two weeks when the phone and internet are your only connection to the outside world. It’s not easy. And it’s especially hard now for the many older or ill people who have to stay at home on their own because the virus is very dangerous for them and who, unlike me, are unable to go outside again after just under two weeks. I would like to extend my warm regards and very best wishes to you, the people in this situation.
It is important to me to reiterate what is driving me and the Federal Government in the fight against the coronavirus and what is guiding our decisions.
I want to say this again because Easter, a very special time, is ahead of us next week. For millions of Christians, Easter means going to church. It means spending Easter Sunday with the whole family, perhaps going for a walk. It means an Easter fire. For a lot of people, it means a short trip to the coast or southern Europe, where it’s already warmer. That’s usually what it means, but not this year.
This is what I must tell you today. All of us will experience an Easter unlike any other before. Naturally, Christians in Germany will mark Good Friday and celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. But they won’t do so in church, side by side with their fellow parishioners. I’m glad and grateful that the churches have done such a wonderful job in the past weeks of reaching so many people through church services on television, the radio and online. I’m sure that far more people will follow these services at Easter.
In this context, I am also thinking of Jews and Muslims in Germany, as well as people of all other faiths, who are currently unable to congregate in their places of worship. That is one of these restrictions that really goes to the heart of a society, one that we can only accept in an emergency and for as long as absolutely necessary.
Going for a walk at Easter will also only be possible in line with the regulations that have been in place for a good two weeks now, that is, with the people you live with, or at most with one other person from outside your home, and at all times keeping the necessary distance of at least 1.5 or better still two metres from other people. And we must not forget to wash our hands often and thoroughly.
Should you decide to wear a basic mask, please do not forget that it can never be a substitute for the necessary distance from other people. As long as there is no vaccine or medicine against the virus, keeping our distance is the most effective way to protect ourselves.
And another thing, which I would also ask you to take seriously – there can be no short trips in Germany this Easter, no trips to the coast or mountains, no visits to relatives.
I know that these are difficult truths. We are used to being able to move about, do things and travel when and where we want. This personal liberty is a fundamental part of our free lives. And now there are suddenly regulations, restrictions and bans everywhere. But they are literally necessary to life. And because that is the case, I am reminding you and us all in detail about this again today, especially before the Easter break.
Some of you may say: “We’ve been sticking to all these regulations for over two weeks now. How much longer will this last?” I understand this question. However, it would be absolutely irresponsible of me to simply give you a concrete date today when the measures can be stopped or at least relaxed, but then to be unable to keep this promise because the number of infections makes it impossible.
If I were to dash the hopes arising from a promise of this kind, things would go from bad to worse in the medical sector, the economy and society.
But what I certainly can promise you, and what I want to promise you, is that you can trust that the Federal Government and I personally are thinking hard day and night about how we can achieve both things, that is, how we can protect public health and come up with a process that will enable public life to resume step by step.
We would not be living up to our responsibilities if we were not thinking about this. But equally, we would not be living up to our responsibilities if we were now to spark false hopes by agreeing exit dates that subsequently fail to reflect reality in any way.
Keeping all of this as a whole in mind is what guides me. This is a herculean task and all of you can rightfully expect your Federal Government and me personally to face up to this herculean task. That is exactly what we are doing. I promise you that.
In order to continue achieving this, let me say very frankly that I still need your help. I need the help you have been providing in such wonderful ways for weeks now. It is simply fantastic what the vast majority of people in our country are doing to help. Our country is showing itself from its best side. I’m eternally grateful for this and I can’t say that often enough.
How important this is becomes clear when we look at the situation and at why it is necessary – absolutely necessary – that we all continue to adhere to the regulations, restrictions and bans.
The coronavirus is still spreading rapidly in Germany. I mourn the deaths of the people who lost their lives as a result of this disease. Their families and friends are in my thoughts.
Every day, thousands of new cases of infection are confirmed, and that automatically means that there are many new patients every day, some of whom need intensive medical care and hospital treatment.
We are still able to provide everyone, including critically ill people, with the necessary care. Maintaining this ability is our guiding goal because we are a humane society. This is not about numbers, but rather about each and every individual, whose inalienable dignity must be respected.
It’s true that the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, although very high, give grounds for a certain amount of extremely cautious optimism, as the number of new confirmed cases is now increasing at a slightly slower rate than was the case a few days ago.
But it is definitely far too early to discern a stable trend in these figures and absolutely far too soon to relax any of the strict regulations we have imposed on ourselves.
The experts tell us that it will still take a while before we know how the measures we have adopted, and in particular the great restrictions you all face, are flattening the curve of infections. However, we need to know that in order to be certain that our healthcare system can cope with the huge burden caused by the corona epidemic.
In my talks with the heads of the federal state governments on Wednesday, we thus all agreed that all guidelines on reduced public life and all guidelines on restricting individual contacts will remain unchanged initially until the end of 19 April, when the Easter holidays finish in most federal states.
What happens after that will have to depend entirely on what point of the spread of the virus we have reached in Germany and the impact this is having on our hospitals.
I know this is a worrying time. You are worried about your families, your jobs, and how our whole country will change as a result of the watershed caused by the corona epidemic. And no matter how hard they work, politicians cannot simply erase these concerns.
However, I assure you that we will do everything in the state’s power to ensure that as few of your worries as possible come to pass. The largest economic and social aid programmes Germany has ever seen were launched a few days ago. Countless applications for subsidies, loans, reduced hours compensation benefit and many other types of support have already been received and will be processed as quickly and with as little bureaucracy as possible. You should all know that the Federal Government is standing by you. We are doing everything we can to ensure that our social market economy, which is based on the principle of solidarity, stands this test.
All of us are learning in this pandemic. We are learning almost every day. Scientists have said so, and the same goes for us politicians. I would like to thank you for your patience and perseverance.
All those who are staying at home, reducing personal contacts as far as possible and sticking to the rules are actively doing the right thing and actively doing good. And you are also doing good if you come up with ideas under these difficult conditions about how to help other people. Yes, we have to keep our distance from others. But that doesn’t stop us from showing other people our closeness, affection and solidarity by sending them a letter, giving them a call, talking to them on Skype, helping them with their shopping or livestreaming concerts from our home. All this is helping each and every one of us to get through this period together in a good way.
There will be a time after this. Or to go back to the topic of Easter, there will be Easter celebrations in the future when we will be able to wish each other a happy Easter without any restrictions. When this new time will come and how good life will be again lies in the hands of us all.
All of us together can help our country to find its way out of this crisis. And this “us” is what counts now.
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06.04.2020
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Merkel
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"We must show that we are ready to defend and strengthen Europe"
The German government intends to take steps at national level as well as taking action agreed within the European Union, announced Chancellor Angela Merkel following a meeting of what has become known as the Corona Cabinet. The new steps relate in particular to the production of personal protective equipment and masks.
The market for protective items is largely concentrated in Asia, and now we have been forced to learn that "we need a degree of sovereignty in this area, or at least a pillar of domestic manufacture". That could be in Germany, or elsewhere in Europe, explained Chancellor Angela Merkel.
To this end, long-term contracts should be concluded with companies, which will undertake to expand or re-launch the production of protective masks in Germany at short notice in return for price guarantees and guaranteed sales of certain volumes.
Free travel for commuters and maximum health protection
Another issue discussed by the Corona Cabinet is travel into Germany, reported Angela Merkel. What is now needed is to guarantee commuters the freedom to travel between their homes and their workplaces, while ensuring maximum health protection. To this end the federal and state governments will agree on common procedures.
Swift liquidity assistance for businesses
A modification was also agreed to the existing Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) loan programme. The aim of the new "KfW rapid loan 2020" is to support small and medium businesses in particular with swift liquidity assistance. Up to a ceiling of 800,000 euros. KfW loans totalling up to three months turnover will be awarded, with 100 per cent exemption from liability.
On Thursday, the Cabinet will meet again, in order to discuss the domestic manufacture of personal protective equipment. A task force is to be set up, which will be dedicated solely to national or Europe-wide production. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is to be responsible.
Strong Europe in everybody’s best interests
With a view to tomorrow’s Euro Group meeting, the Chancellor declared that the European Union is facing "the greatest test since it was first founded", with all member states affected by the Corona pandemic. The ministers of finance have been asked for proposals on how to best address the challenges. Discussions are to look at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the European Treaties that make it possible to take special steps in the case of natural disaster, and the proposal of the European Commission for European short-time work allowance. "It will be a case of demonstrating that we are ready to defend and strengthen our Europe."
It is in Germany’s own interest for Europe to emerge strong from this test. Germany will only do well, if Europe does well, said the Chancellor. "That is why the only answer can be: more Europe, a strong Europe and a smoothly functioning Europe – in all member states."
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09.04.2020
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Merkel
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"Grounds for cautious optimism"
Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on everyone in Germany not to let up in their efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus over the Easter weekend. The latest figures, she said, give grounds for cautious optimism. Now it is important not to become careless, not to think we are safe - "because we could easily destroy everything we have achieved".
After the meeting of what has become known as the Corona Cabinet, Chancellor Angela Merkel gave an update of the situation on Thursday afternoon. "The latest trends in the figures give grounds for cautious optimism," she said at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery. "The curve is flattening slightly and the number of active cases is dropping slightly."
The Chancellor addressed her plea to everyone in Germany to keep rigorously to the rules, regulations and restrictions in place. "In the last few weeks we have demonstrated great strength together. Now as we approach the Easter weekend in particular it is crucial that we do not let up in our efforts," said Angela Merkel. Then, she said, we can manage to defend the country against the virus and we can pass this extremely difficult test.
Watch a video of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s statement here.
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20.04.2020
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Merkel
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CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Ladies and gentlemen, before I speak about another corona cabinet decision that is very important to me, I would like to comment briefly on the current situation.
Over the last four weeks, that is, since the introduction of severe containment measures and social distancing, much has been achieved overall. In particular, efforts to bring infection rates under control have been successful to the extent that we have been able to stop exponential growth. The fact that the reproduction number now lies below 1 and that, for many days, we have more recovered individuals than new infections, has first and foremost been accomplished thanks to all our citizens who followed the rules with tremendous discipline and bore the restrictions with a great deal of patience. Today, once again, I want to whole-heartedly thank them for this.
So we have a growing number of recovered individuals and lower numbers of infections, and that can be credited to the social distancing measures. However, we must not let our attention stray for even one second and must bear in mind that we are still at the very beginning of the pandemic; this is the beginning, and we are a long way from being in the clear. I believe we must remind ourselves of this again and again, especially early this week, as we start to ease some of the containment measures. Of course, that’s hard to do. But as we lift some measures and ease restrictions, we simply don’t know exactly what the effect will be. That is why we must proceed step by step, slowly and cautiously. It would be a crying shame if we were to walk straight into a relapse and thereby jeopardise the first successes we’ve achieved. That is why we must not even for a moment become careless or reckless. We must not be lulled into the slightest false sense of security. It is incredibly important that we don’t become careless or have a false sense of security. Rather, we must remain alert and disciplined. When I say “we”, I mean all of us – every man, woman and child in this country.
I want to be perfectly clear: I know that many people are in very difficult circumstances. I know about the troubles that parents and children, and especially single parents, face. I see the troubles that restaurants and hotels are having, and I see how so many fear for the survival of their store, business or company. I also see the troubles faced by many artists who do not know what lies ahead. I see the expectations of churches and religious communities that want to offer their members more than online services, and the longing of the faithful to finally join in worship again with other believers. Of course, I see the urgent need to again be able to exercise the rights of free assembly and to demonstrate, and I know about the troubles faced by those who are already lonely and in these circumstances are more deeply lonely than before. This also means that, due to this pandemic, all individuals in our country – and all of us as a community – are making tremendous sacrifices. At the same time, however, I am convinced that the best way for us to address these challenges, and all of the troubles, hopes, desires and expectations we have, is for us to summon the strength we need to maintain severe and strict measures – especially at the outset of this pandemic.
I want to mention again that, last Wednesday, we reached a decision together with the Minister-Presidents to keep the rules in effect until at least 3 May, that is: maintaining one and a half metres distance when outside; being at home with the members of your own household only; visiting public spaces only with members of your household or with one other person who does not live in your household; no tourist travel, and basically no travel abroad.
I’ve made clear my concern, and my words of warning – namely, that we must proceed with great care at the beginning of this epidemic and that we must remain focused – and I continue to do so in all of my talks with the Minister-Presidents of the Länder. We have created some leeway for ourselves – the measures giving us this leeway are essentially being implemented by the Länder through general administrative acts and their authority under the Infection Protection Act – and we must remember that we should make most limited, not generous, use of this leeway. Otherwise, we might run the risk of losing control of the easing process. The current numbers that we see now on a daily basis are deceptive. We have started today what we have jointly agreed, namely to open some stores – but we will not know the impact of this on infection rates until 14 days from now – no earlier. That’s what makes this so difficult.
I believe that all of us – the Federation and the Länder, Minister-Presidents, citizens, myself and the Federal Government – we all have the common aim of preventing a new total shutdown and making sure that we don’t need to reinstate one. But that of course is what would be required if we were to have renewed exponential growth in infections. That would be inevitable, and it would also create an emergency situation for our hospitals – a situation we so far successfully avoided. That is precisely what we want to do, namely make sure that we prevent dramatic situations such as other countries are facing – because of course we don’t want to put people with pre existing conditions and the elderly at risk. However, we also don’t want to isolate them – some would say “lock them away” – for months. That wouldn’t be in line with our human values.
I firmly believe that preventing a setback – that is, our needing to reinstate harsher measures – is not only in the interest of fighting the pandemic, but also in the interest of aiding our economy and public life. Therefore I will not grow tired of pointing out and urging time and again that we must remain consistent and disciplined. The more clearly we can keep the reproduction number under one, the more – and more sustainably – we can return to public, societal and economic life. This, of course, is in our shared interest.
To effectively tackle this challenge, we must – and this is what all country’s experiences are telling us – be able to precisely trace every chain of infection. This means that every newly infected individual must be asked whom he or she was in contact with. All of these individuals must then be quarantined. We can only do this with precision if we strengthen the public health sector. The Federation and the Länder have already reached an agreement on 25 March regarding this effort – namely, that at least one five-member contact tracing team will be fielded for every 20,000 inhabitants.
We have just discussed this and decided that the Federal Ministry of Health will fund the training and deployment of 105 mobile teams to support public health services’ contact tracing and management efforts. This was today also discussed with the Länder.
As of 22 April, the Länder will require health authorities to report to their supervisory entities any shortfalls in their tracing capacities, so that we can remedy this. In Brandenburg, for example, the Bundeswehr will be helping with contact tracing. This after all does not require special health care knowledge, but rather putting phone banks into operation.
At the Robert Koch Institute, we will establish a 40 person service unit that will function as a point of contact for municipal public health services, so that each unit staff member can liaise with ten local health authorities.
That may sound very technical. But we know from South Korea and from other Asian countries that have addressed similar outbreaks that it is essential to precisely reconstruct the chains of infection – every single one, in fact. This way, we can truly slow the spread of the virus. Easing containment measures without improving contact tracing will not achieve the desired effect. As I said earlier, I want us to be able to keep lowering the reproduction number – as soon and, of course, as effectively as possible.
Thank you very much. That’s all for today.
QUESTION, SCHULER: Chancellor, it was reported that in a CDU leadership meeting today you spoke of “discussion orgies” about loosening lockdowns. Do you think that’s a fitting choice of words, considering that many people long to return to a normal life?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: First of all, I can understand that this is what people want. I have just described this in great detail. I have stood here many times and said that I would like nothing better than to announce to everyone that we are making progress. And, indeed, we today saw that first steps have been taken.
But I also warned that this initial loosening of containment measures must not lead to overly rash action and a false sense of security, which 14 days from now would create an outcome that we all do not want. I firmly believe that. Because we know – and Mr Tschentscher recently used this image – that we are on thin ice. We know that if the reproduction number were just slightly above 1, then this would again lead to a situation in which our health care system could be overwhelmed. We need a balanced approach. On the one hand, we must not overburden our health care system, so that people can get the medical treatment they need. On the other hand, we of course want to loosen measures, wherever that’s possible.
That’s the task we must accomplish. I should also say that it is the best way to guide ourselves through this very severe pandemic. That’s why I understand everyone’s concerns. But I also say that the best thing for us to do now is to proceed with caution, and not be careless.
QUESTION, DR DELFS: Chancellor, let me come back to that. You’ve just issued another strongly worded warning. What is it exactly that you find so worrying? Is it simply the fact that as of today shops are open again in many regions and the risk is thus increasing?
Or do you have the feeling that the whole discussion at the moment is, to some extent, heading in the wrong direction? You’ve probably seen that for yourself. When you travel through Berlin and look at the parks, you’ll notice that there are quite a lot of people outside in this lovely weather. Isn’t it perhaps necessary to appeal to the public once more in a different way, with greater urgency? How can you convey this risk in concrete, practical terms?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: I myself was involved in the decision to re open shops of up to 800 square metres. That’s something we all agreed on. We presented this decision to you.
However, I have the impression that a debate has started up since last Wednesday which implies a level of security which most certainly doesn’t yet exist today and about which none of us can say anything because we won’t know for another 14 days what the impact of these decisions will be.
I have the impression that what we decided on Wednesday has perhaps pushed other things – the fact that only one person not living in any given household is allowed to spend time outside with those who do live in that household, but otherwise has to stay in their own household – into the background and that we have to remind ourselves that they are equally important.
It goes without saying, for example, that the more liberal we make the regulation on the re opening of shops, the more people will say: well, if others are going to get almost everything they want, why am I getting nothing?
I also understand the churches. The desire to hold religious services once more is, of course, quite legitimate. The task we all face is to allow our society to function again – but in an altered form due to the pandemic. After all, it will be a very long time before we have a vaccine. So I’m not singling out one sector which, as it were, gets all the rights. Rather, I’m trying to take the different sections of society forward and, to a degree, to fulfil the legitimate wishes of the Christians, Muslims and Jews in our country.
We also have to consider the legitimate wishes of parents. We have to reconcile all of this in a satisfactory manner without letting the number of contacts increase to the extent that it triggers another phase of exponential growth.
I was indeed cautionary today in order to make it clear that although we’ve come a long way, we haven’t reached our goal yet. We’re not in the clear yet and we shouldn’t jeopardise everything that has been achieved. In my view, it would be a terrible shame if we were forced to announce a reversal of the decisions we’ve made.
QUESTION, DUNZ: Chancellor, why do you think the debate started by the Minister-Presidents on the easing of containment measures is being pushed forward? Are they trying to outdo each other in order to enhance their positions in their own Länder? Is it due to the pressure exerted by business?
Are you concerned that this will now actually cause distorted competition and uncertainty as to whether or not masks will become compulsory throughout the country?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: With regard to masks, we went much further the last time than we did on previous occasions. And more masks are available now. The situation has changed. One Land after another is saying: on public transport at least ... Where it’s not possible to keep a distance from others, more Länder or individual cities opted for this today.
I believe that, all in all, the pressure is very considerable, and understandably so. That goes without saying. You hear artists, you hear parents. That’s also understandable. We’re witnessing a situation totally unlike any other we’ve experienced since the Second World War.
Of course, everyone is thinking about what constitutes acting responsibly and what doesn’t. It may be a mistake to move forward too quickly. That’s what concerns me. I’d like to continue the balanced approach we’ve adopted so far. For example, at no point in time have parks been closed here in Germany. They were closed in Austria and they’re still closed in France. People are not allowed to enter parks in Italy. Here in Germany, we’ve always been permitted to go outside, and not just for an hour or two. I don’t want to jeopardise the successful approach we've been following together. That’s the point I want to make.
Nevertheless, I also see the hardship suffered by others, also of those groups who, of course, say: why am I still not allowed to work when others are allowed to sell? We always have to state reasons and we certainly also have to engage in discussion. I’m not opposed to a debate in society about this. As Chancellor, however, I feel I also have a duty to put forward my position in this debate. One point I’d like to make is that the Leopoldina, which discussed the easing of the containment measures and its impact, has always said that we have to be able to trace every chain of infection.
To be honest, we can’t do that yet. I would prefer it if it were already possible. Therefore, we not only have to ease the containment measures but, secondly, we also have to meticulously trace the chains of infection. And we have to do this in every single individual case.
QUESTION: Chancellor, Federal Development Minister Müller called on the Chinese Government to make available information on possible incidents in laboratories in Wuhan. Was that agreed upon within the Federal Government? What’s your view on this?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: No, it wasn’t agreed upon. We didn’t talk about it within the Government.
This discussion has been around for quite some time now. I believe the more transparent China is about the origin of this virus, the more everyone around the world will be able to learn from it. However, we haven’t had a specific discussion about this.
QUESTION, BLANK: Chancellor, you’ve just mentioned the difficult position facing people, citizens as well as businesses or restaurants. Various points are currently being discussed: lowering the VAT rate or raising reduced hours compensation for restaurants. What’s your position on these points? Does there perhaps have to be a coalition committee on Wednesday evening to find a way forward?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: I’m sure we’ll talk about these issues in the coalition committee. But we have to make sure now that we don’t adopt a measure one week and then another the following week. Rather, we have to reconsider where we stand now. We have to think about where the problems lie. That could be the case when cafés or restaurants are allowed to re open one day. That’s not the key issue at present. That may and will perhaps be the case with regard to reduced hours compensation, although circumstances vary greatly there, too. For example, there are people with a very low income in the catering sector or in the services sector as a whole. However, there are also companies in sectors covered by collective agreements which are topping up salaries to 100%. We have artists and many others. That’s why I think that we will certainly talk about this on Wednesday: In what areas do we perhaps still have to consider taking action?
Of course, the measures haven’t been in force long. We have to take care now to gain a general overview of the situation and to avoid focusing on one particular group at too frequent intervals.
QUESTION, WILP: Chancellor, you always say that South Korea has dealt with the pandemic in an exemplary fashion and hold it up as a role model. Why isn’t the wearing of masks compulsory all over Germany? You mentioned that individual Länder and cities have led the way. But I don’t feel that your position has become quite clear.
Allow me to ask a second question. You are also affected by the measures. May I ask you how you spent your weekend? Did you venture outside? Were you in Berlin, or perhaps in the Uckermark?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: I’m not going to say where I spend every minute of the day. But I certainly abide by all the rules which have been, or will be, imposed.
As for masks: first of all, they are not the responsibility of the Federal Government. But I’m not trying to avoid answering the question. We said that community masks may be helpful if they’re worn correctly. Let me repeat what correct use entails: they shouldn’t be worn for many days in a row, they have to be washed often in hot water or the viruses have to be killed in another way. We then also have to make sure – and this is very different to the situation four weeks ago – that we can provide every citizen obliged to wear a mask with at least one if not several such masks. To a certain extent, that will determine when such a step is taken. What’s more, we then have to consider where wearing a mask is now necessary. I don’t know whether I really need to wear one when I go for a walk on my own in the park if I keep far enough away from others. But when I’m on public transport there are good reasons to expect people to wear masks provided sufficient quantities are available.
QUESTION, DR RINKE: Chancellor, on Thursday you’re taking part in another EU video conference. There are now proposals for compromises in the dispute over how to help those countries hit particularly hard by the coronavirus, namely that this could be achieved via the EU budget and EU bonds. Do you see that as a feasible way to help Italy or Spain, for example?
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: We have now found an instrument in Article 122 (2) which allows us to pass on bonds for countries by means of guarantees from member states. They can then be used, for example, to finance reduced hours compensation. I can also envisage further instruments of this kind. In general, I’d like to make it clear that Germany is keen to demonstrate solidarity and will indeed do so. However, this must take place within the framework of the current treaties and must, of course, take into account the fact that all countries and all member states of the European Union got into this situation through no fault of their own. We have been hit by a pandemic. This is not the result of failings in economic policy or anything else. Furthermore, I always say that Germany will only fare well in the long term if Europe fares well. Our desire to see Europe as a whole do well is therefore not just about solidarity but also in our own interest – both in equal measure. Our actions will be guided by that. That’s why it pains me that I have to keep stressing this. For me, it’s a given.
The Finance Ministers have adopted a package to the tune of 500 billion euros which now has to be implemented. I can very well imagine that the budget will not look like it did the last time we met in Brussels to discuss the medium-term financial outlook. I believe that goes for everyone. This budget will be different. I would assume that it will have to have very different financial dimensions in the first years following the pandemic. However, this, too, must remain within the scope of the current treaties. We can also discuss new treaties, but we would need two or three years to find solutions. Yet we will need quick answers to this pandemic. Germany will participate in solutions based on the principle of solidarity – beyond the 500 billion euros already earmarked.
Thank you very much!
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23.04.2020
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Merkel
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Dr Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor:
Mr President, Fellow Members of this House, ladies and gentlemen,
We are going through altogether exceptional, serious times. And all of us, the Government and the Parliament, our entire country, are facing a test the likes of which we have not seen since the Second World War, since the early years of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is about nothing less than people’s lives and health. And this is about cohesion and solidarity in our society and in Europe.
I stand before you as Federal Chancellor of a Federal Government that has adopted measures together with the Länder in recent weeks for which there is no historical precedent to guide us. We have forwarded bills to you, the Parliament, and have asked you to approve funds at a level that, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, was simply beyond the power of our imagination. I am profoundly grateful that the German Bundestag and, incidentally, also the Bundesrat, discussed and adopted these legislative measures extremely quickly under difficult circumstances.
We have now been living through the pandemic for a number of weeks. Each and every one of us has had to adjust their lives to the new conditions, both privately and professionally. Each of us has stories to tell about what we particularly miss or find particularly difficult. And I understand that this life under the spectre of the coronavirus feels long, very long, for everyone.
No one likes to hear this, yet the truth is that we’re not going through the final phase of the pandemic, but are still only at the beginning. We will have to live with this virus for a very long time to come. The question as to how we can prevent the virus from overwhelming our healthcare system at a particular point in time, leading to the loss of countless lives, will remain the key question for politicians in Germany and Europe for a long while to come.
I’m aware of the great burden that these restrictions are placing on all of us individually, and also as a society. This pandemic is an affront to democracy as it is restricting precisely the things that are our existential rights and needs – those of adults and children alike. Such a situation is only acceptable and bearable as long as the reasons for the restrictions are transparent and understandable, if criticism and disagreement are not only allowed, but also called for and listened to – on both sides. The free press can help here.
Our federal order can help here. The mutual trust that we have witnessed in recent weeks here in Parliament and across the country can also help here. The fact that members of the public have made no bones about supporting each other or restricting their activities for the sake of others is admirable.
Let me assure you that I have found almost no other decision to be so difficult during my time in office as Federal Chancellor as the restrictions to personal freedoms.
I myself am saddened by the fact that children aren’t able to meet their friends just like that right now and that they miss this so much. I myself am saddened by the fact that people are, as a rule, only able to go for a walk with only one other person outside their own household and that they must always pay heed to the most vital minimum distance requirement.
I myself am particularly saddened to hear about what people living in care homes, retirement homes and centres for people with disabilities are having to go through. Places where loneliness is a problem under normal circumstances have become much more lonely still during the pandemic without any visitors at all. It is cruel that, with the exception of carers who are doing their very best, no one can be there when their strength wanes and a life draws to a close. Let us never forget these people or the temporary isolation in which they are forced to live. These 80- and 90 year-olds built our country. They established the prosperity that we enjoy.
They are part of Germany just like us, their children and grandchildren. And we’re fighting our battle against the virus also for them. I therefore firmly believe that these very tough restrictions are necessary nonetheless in order to withstand this dramatic crisis as a community and to protect what our Basic Law places at the centre of our actions: life and the dignity of each and every human being.
We have slowed down the spread of the virus in recent weeks by being hard on ourselves, and with discipline and patience. While this sounds like a small achievement, it’s something incredibly valuable. We have bought precious extra time and made effective use of it to further strengthen our healthcare system.
The intensive care units are at the heart of all our efforts in the medical field. This is where the fate of those most severely affected by the coronavirus is decided. All of us are familiar with the terrible reports from hospitals in a number of countries, which were simply overrun by the virus a few weeks ago. Ensuring that this does not happen here is the simple and yet most aspirational goal of the Federal Government. I would like to thank our Minister of Health Jens Spahn, and also the Ministers of Health of the Länder, who are working so tirelessly to achieve this objective – and with tangible success.
We have managed to achieve a considerable expansion in the number of hospital beds for patients requiring ventilators. With the COVID 19 Hospital Relief Act, we have ensured that hospitals are able to build up additional intensive care capacities. Today, we can state that our healthcare system has withstood this test so far. Each patient suffering from the coronavirus is receiving the best possible humane treatment, even in the most severe cases.
More than all state measures, we have the selfless work of doctors, nurses and paramedics to thank for this, the work of so many people who, with their dedication and drive, make up what we often simply refer to as “our healthcare system”.
We thank them with this applause, and I would also like to extend my thanks to the servicemen and women of the Bundeswehr who are providing assistance in many areas.
The public health service is playing what is perhaps a less high profile, but just as decisive role in the fight against the pandemic. We’re talking about almost 400 local health authorities here. If we are to manage to control and curb the rate of infection in the coming months, then we need these authorities to be strong, and I mean stronger than they were before the pandemic.
This is why the Federation and the Länder have just agreed to increase staffing levels for these authorities so that they can, for example, effectively assume this extremely important – indeed, I would say decisive – task of tracing the contacts of those infected by the virus. The Robert Koch Institute will, furthermore, set up 105 mobile teams of students, known as Containment Scouts, who can be deployed wherever there is a particular need.
The Federal Government has also been devoted to the issue of personal protective equipment from the outset. The supply of these goods, especially medical protective masks, has quickly become one of the key tasks, and not only for us, but for the entire world. After all, intensive care beds and ventilators are useless without healthy doctors and nurses.
The situation in world markets for such equipment is tense and trading practices during the early weeks of the pandemic were, shall we say, rough. This is why the Federal Government, despite not being the competent authority according to the Protection against Infection Act, decided to coordinate the procurement of personal protective equipment in a centralised manner before passing these goods on to the Länder. I would like to thank the companies who helped us with their experience in this context.
The pandemic has taught us that procuring protective equipment exclusively from faraway countries isn’t a good idea. Masks that cost just a few cents can become a strategic factor in the pandemic. The Federal Republic of Germany and the EU are therefore working to reduce our dependence on third countries in this area. We’re working intensively to expand our productive capacities for protective equipment in Germany and Europe with this in mind.
If we ask ourselves what has stood us in good stead in this first phase of the virus’ spread, then this is – alongside the relatively high number of intensive care beds – our high testing capacities and dense network of laboratories. Experts tell us to test, test, test. This helps us to get a better picture of the epidemic in Germany, and to achieve greater clarity regarding the number of unreported infections. Moreover, carers can be more frequently tested in order to reduce the risk of infection in hospitals and care homes. This is why we have continually expanded and will continue to expand our capacities for comprehensive testing.
However, we can, at the end of the day, only end the coronavirus pandemic with a vaccine, at least based on everything we know about the virus today. Researchers in multiple countries around the world are working to find a vaccine. The Federal Government is providing financial support so that Germany as a research location can play its role in these efforts. But we are just as committed, not least financially, to international initiatives such as the vaccine initiative CEPI.
The Federal Government has also made available at short notice considerable financial resources for the development of medicines and for a new national research network on Covid 19. This is helping researchers and doctors at all German university hospitals to join hands in working on this task. We will require still many more studies, and also antibody surveys in the future. We are well equipped for this.
Science is never national, however, but is in the service of humanity. It thus goes without saying that, when medicines or a vaccine are discovered, tested, released and ready to be deployed, they must be available throughout the world and also be affordable throughout the world.
A virus that is spreading in almost all countries can only be pushed back and curbed when all countries work together. The Federal Government attaches overarching importance to international cooperation to tackle the virus. We are coordinating our efforts in the EU, and also within the framework of the G7 and the G20.
With the decision to suspend all interest and debt payments for the world’s poorest 77 countries this year, we have been able to relieve some of the pressure on these poverty-stricken groups of countries. We cannot content ourselves with providing this support, of course. Cooperating with the countries of Africa has always been a priority of the Federal Government, and we must strengthen this still further in the coronavirus crisis.
The work of the World Health Organization (WHO) is vital not only in Africa, but particularly there. On behalf of the Federal Government, allow me to emphasise that The WHO is an indispensable partner, and we are supporting it in its mandate.
Ladies and gentlemen, when we look at the most recent figures published by the Robert Koch Institute here in Germany, then the indicators show that they’re developing in the right direction, for example a slower rate of infection and more recoveries than new infections each day at the present time. This is an interim success. But precisely because these numbers give us cause for hope, I feel I have a duty to say that this interim success is fragile. We are on thin ice, we could also say on the very thinnest of ice.
The situation is deceptive, and we are a long way from being in the clear. After all, in the fight against the virus, we must always bear in mind that today’s numbers reflect the rate of infection about ten to 12 days ago. Today’s number of new infections therefore doesn’t tell us what things will look like in one or two weeks when we have permitted considerably more new contacts in the meantime.
Fellow Members of this House, I would like to take this opportunity to go into greater detail about what is currently worrying me. Political decisions are naturally always part of a constant process of weighing things up to the best of one’s knowledge and judgment. That also applies to the decisions in the fight against the corona pandemic which are naturally of the utmost importance for the well being of people in our country.
In this exceptionally important process, which I know no one in the Federation or the Länder takes lightly, I firmly believe that when it comes to the fight against the coronavirus, we need to demonstrate the greatest possible perseverance and discipline particularly at the start of this pandemic, as we will then be in a position to restart economic, social and public life faster, and without having to backtrack, than if we – particularly at the start – allow encouraging infection rates to lull us into a false sense of security too soon.
So if we are disciplined at the start, we will succeed much faster in being able to give equal weight to health and the economy and to health and social life. The virus will still be with us, but with focus and stamina – particularly at the start – we will be able to prevent a situation where we go from one shutdown to the next or have to isolate groups of people from everyone else for months and are faced with terrible conditions in our hospitals, as was unfortunately the case in some other countries. The greater perseverance and consistency we demonstrate at the start of the pandemic as regards living with the restrictions, thus driving down the infection rate, the more we are helping not only people’s health, but also economic activities and social life, as we would then be in a position to trace every chain of infection in full and thus keep the virus under control. This firm belief guides my actions.
So allow me to be very frank and say that I wholeheartedly support the decisions made last Wednesday by the Federation and the Länder. However, I am worried about how these decisions have been implemented since then.
In parts, this implementation seems very fast, not to say rash. When I say that, then naturally this doesn’t change in the slightest my absolute belief in and respect for the sovereignty the Länder have on many issues in our federal system, as laid down under constitutional law. And naturally, that also goes for the Protection against Infection Act. Our federal system is strong. I wanted to reiterate that clearly so that no misunderstandings arise here.
At the same time, I see it as my duty to sound a warning not simply to trust in the principle of hope if I myself am not convinced. In my talks with the Minister-Presidents and now here in this House, I want to warn against squandering what we have achieved and risking a setback!
It would be a terrible shame if premature hope ended in suffering. Let’s all remain prudent and cautious on the path to the next phase of the pandemic. We are in this for the long haul, and we cannot allow ourselves to run out of stream too soon.
Right now, we cannot return to the daily life we knew before corona. That much is certain. Daily life will be different for the time being even if the digital tracing models currently being discussed can be put in place. The strict distancing regulations, the hygiene instructions and the contact restrictions will continue to be a part of daily life. That applies to the opening of schools and kindergartens, for example. The Länder are currently working on very practical steps as regards gradually opening the schools. A great deal of creativity and energy will be needed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are working on this at the moment. I know that many, many people are involved.
At the start of my speech, I spoke about the biggest test since the early days of the Federal Republic of Germany. Unfortunately, that also applies to the economy. We cannot yet say with any degree of certainty how high the losses will be at the end of the year, how long they will last or when recovery will start; naturally, all this depends on our success in dealing with the virus.
The pandemic hit us at a time when our budgets were in good shape and our reserves high. Years of sound policies are now helping us. We now need to support our economy and to provide a safety net for workers. Millions of applications for various aid programmes have been submitted; millions of people and companies have already received money. We were able to adopt all these legal measures quickly and by an overwhelming majority. Our parliamentary democracy is strong. It is efficient and at a time of crisis it is extremely fast.
Last night, we agreed further measures in the coalition committee, about which you have been informed. However, all of our measures at the national level can only succeed in the end if we succeed together in Europe. In this House, you have often heard me say that Germany can only fare well in the long term if Europe fares well. I mean it very, very seriously when I repeat this sentence today.
How is this expressed in concrete terms? For example, we have treated over 200 patients from Italy, France and the Netherlands in German ICUs. We have supplied medical equipment to countries such as Italy and Spain and flown thousands of other stranded Europeans back home from all over the world along with our own citizens. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff of the Federal Foreign Office for this. It is hard to believe how many Germans are outside the country, but we were also able to help many other Europeans. Thank you.
We took joint action to counter the massive blow to Europe’s economy. We are doing this with a huge 500 billion-euro package of aid measures for firms and employees that our Finance Minister Olaf Scholz and the other finance ministers in the Eurogroup agreed two weeks ago. Now we need to ensure that these 500 billion euros are really made available, and the German Bundestag will also have to decide on this matter. I would be pleased if we could say that the money will really be available by 1 June, as we are talking here about aid for small and medium-sized enterprises. We are talking here about precautionary credit lines. And we are also talking here about reduced hours compensation benefits, for which some Member States may not have the financial resources, but which can be of great help to workers there.
Now some of our European partners – but this is also being discussed by politicians here in Germany – are calling for joint loans with joint liability to be taken out in view of this severe crisis. This matter is certain to be discussed again in the European Council’s video conference this afternoon. Let us assume that the time and the political will to take on joint debt truly exist. Then all the national parliaments in the European Union, including the German Bundestag, would have to decide to amend the EU treaties in such a way that a part of budget law would be transferred to the European level and democratically monitored there. This would be a time-consuming and difficult process. It is not one that could help immediately in the current situation. What is now important is to provide rapid support and to quickly have instruments that can alleviate the impact of the crisis.
Today’s European Council will also discuss how we want to proceed together in Europe once the tightest restrictions have been relaxed. We want to act quickly in Europe because naturally we need instruments in order to be able to overcome the impact of the crisis in all Member States.
In this context, I think it is important that the European Commission is reviewing now and in the coming weeks how the various sectors of the European economy have been affected by the crisis and what action needs to be taken in response. So this also affects the immediate aid for Europe’s economy. A European economic stimulus programme could support the necessary recovery in the next two years. That is why we will also work towards this.
In our talks today, we will not yet decide on the details or the amounts involved. But one thing is already clear – in a spirit of solidarity, we should be willing to make very different, that is, significantly higher, contributions to the EU budget for a limited period of time because we want all European Union Member States to be able to recover economically.
However, this type of economic stimulus programme should be joined up with the European budget from the outset, as the joint European budget has been the proven instrument for financing joint tasks in the European Union in a spirit of solidarity for decades.
Furthermore, I will urge the European Council to address very fundamental questions in the near future. Where do we need to work even more closely together at the European level? Where does the European Union need additional competencies? Which strategic skills do we need to have or maintain in Europe in the future? Fiscal policy, digital policy and the single market are not the only areas where we could deepen this Union; European solidarity is also needed in migration policy, the rule of law, European Security and Defence Policy and climate protection. Mr President, fellow Members of this House, commitment to the united Europe is part of our national ethos in Germany. This is not just something that sounds nice. It has very practical implications. We are bound together by a common fate.
In view of the unforeseen challenge of the pandemic, Europe must prove this now.
The pandemic affects everyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. If we are not careful, it will serve as a pretext for all those who seek to divide society. Europe is not Europe if it does not see itself as such.
Europe is not Europe if it does not show solidarity when times are hard through no fault of anyone’s.
In this crisis, we are also tasked with showing who we want to be as Europe.
And so, at the end of my speech, I have come full circle back to the idea of cohesion. What goes for Europe is also the most important thing for us in Germany. As paradoxical as it sounds, in weeks where the conduct regulations have forced us far apart and distance rather than closeness is needed, we stuck together. And by doing so, we managed to at least slow the virus down together on its path through Germany and Europe. No government can simply decree this. In the final analysis, the government can merely hope it will come to pass. This is only possible if the public, motivated by compassion and reason, do something for other people, for their country. Let’s call it for the greater good.
This makes me profoundly grateful, and I hope that the same spirit will prevail among us in the coming time. Things will remain very hard for quite a while. But together – and after the first weeks of the pandemic, I firmly believe this – we will succeed in mastering this enormous challenge – together as a society and together in Europe.
Thank you very much.
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30.04.2020
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Merkel
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FEDERAL CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Ladies and gentlemen, the Heads of Government of the Länder and I held discussions once again about the major challenges that all members of the public and also all levels of our federal country are facing in the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no template whatsoever for this challenge and no historical experience for us to draw on, and we’re finding out more and more each day thanks to the work of scientists, and we have to keep on learning.
I’m very pleased that we’re holding these discussions very regularly now, always about every 14 days. They help us to take steps together. They help us to take decisions with a common strategy in mind. But we are, of course, a federal country, which means that approaches vary from region to region. This will, in view of these regional differences, always be the case in a country like Germany.
But I think it is in the interests of the people, the members of the public, that there is a strategy and a goal in this pandemic for the whole of Germany. Allow me therefore to reiterate what this objective is. Since there is neither a medicine nor a vaccine against this virus, our aim will always be to slow down its spread, and to slow it down to such an extent that our healthcare system and our hospitals are able to cope with the number of people with severe symptoms as a result of the virus and that they are able to offer each and every patient the best possible medical care.
We have managed to do this until now. We have all achieved a great deal in recent weeks. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody once again for having followed the rules and for continuing to do so in the future, for bearing with restrictions and putting the good of society ahead of their own interests time and again. Many are continuing to do this, and I would like to ask everyone to keep on doing just that.
But I would like to include more people in my thanks today, namely all those who, in the efforts to power up our public life, our economy and social spheres, are giving thought to how this can take place. I’m impressed to see how, sector for sector and sphere by sphere, concepts are being devised with a close eye for detail that focus precisely on the things that are important, that are so decisive in the efforts to fight this virus, namely on keeping distance, protecting ourselves and others, wearing masks, whether to ensure safety in the workplace or in the life of society. These prudent occupational safety concepts with social distancing and hygiene rules or the proposals by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Youth Affairs and the proposals made by religious communities that we have now seen are an example of how to shape everyday life against the backdrop of the pandemic. Very good progress is being made in all of this.
Once such concepts have been elaborated, then it is, of course, the responsibility of policymakers to decide how things can start up again. Such matters are difficult to decide and weigh up. There are no automatic solutions, but rather we must consider the overall situation carefully in every single case. Time and again, we have a great responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure that we don’t relapse into a more difficult phase, but that we forge ahead step by step.
We have managed so far to slow the spread of the virus. This must continue to be our guiding principle as, after all, the scientists from the leading research organisations keep telling us that we should, indeed we must, work to bring down the number of infected people still further, even if this figure is already much lower today. Above all, the aim is also for us to be in a position to trace the chains of infection. The public health service has achieved tremendous things in this regard. I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to all those working for these public health services. A large part of our future depends on them right now, which is why we have supported and strengthened them.
Each decision to ease the restrictions in place so far naturally leads to people being out and about in public and meeting one another to a greater extent once again, resulting in busier city centres and more people on public transport. We must therefore constantly keep an eye on the inevitable impact that this will have on possible new infections. I think the Federation and the Länder are in agreement on this, and this is also reflected in our decision. It therefore continues to be absolutely essential that we remain disciplined, that we maintain a safe distance from one another and that we observe hygiene rules.
In all future measures, we will always weigh up carefully what this means in terms of healthcare, what impact this has on the social cohesion of our society and, above all, what the economic aspects of this are. All these things must be carefully weighed up against each other. We know that – and this is also something that we gave expression to today – the Federal Government and the Länder must take steps to ensure that we notice at an early stage if the curve of infections becomes steeper again. We must therefore have a warning system and be prepared to respond if necessary. I’m very grateful that we agree on this.
Today’s discussions were therefore an intermediate step. After all, the 12 to 14 days before we know what effect all of this will have on our rate of infection will not elapse until 6 May. We call to mind the opening of shops, which is why we will meet again as soon as next week. We have therefore taken individual decisions today, but will be adopting a more far-reaching package again next week.
Today, the focus was once again on our acknowledgement that we will not be able to allow major events to take place before 31 August. Specifically, these include major sporting events, public celebrations with spectators, major concerts, festivals, village, town, street, wine and shooting festivals and funfairs. These will therefore have to remain prohibited for a prolonged period of time.
I would like to thank the churches and religious communities for putting forward an excellent concept. Responsibility for this lies with the Länder, but it will be possible to hold church services again under the measures that have been elaborated here together with the churches and religious communities.
We have decided that, subject to specific conditions, playgrounds will also be allowed to reopen – the Länder will reach decisions on the details here – as well as, subject to specific conditions, cultural institutions such as museums, exhibitions, galleries, memorials and zoological and botanical gardens.
On 6 May, we will evaluate the concepts of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Youth Ministers and Ministers of Sport and make very clear decisions on the order and the way in which school and day care centres can be attended again, including certain sporting activities, of course subject to specific conditions.
We also talked about the fact that we should, of course, offer other sectors a roadmap for the future. That is why the competent conferences of ministers are being instructed to prepare plans and framework conditions for the gradual opening of bars and restaurants, as well as tourism facilities and for other cultural institutions by the conference following 6 May – we haven’t yet fixed a precise date for this – provided, of course, that the infection rate permits this.
We have heard today about the unemployment figures and about the number of people on reduced hours. We know that there have been profound economic impacts that we are seeking to cushion. Nevertheless, these are, of course, bound up with tremendous hardship for employees, for business owners, for the self-employed and many others. That is why we are keeping these issues in mind. But I firmly believe that we’re also acting in the best interests of the economy, including in the interests of social contacts, if we consider that we can take steps forward in allowing more contacts, but that we mustn’t go backwards. That’s why caution and compliance with hygiene measures continue to be the order of the day.
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06.05.2020
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Merkel
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FEDERAL CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Ladies and gentlemen, as announced quite some time ago, we continued the scheduled discussions between the Minister-Presidents of the Länder and the Federal Government today. I think we can also say today that the very first phase of the pandemic now lies behind us. But we must always remember that despite this we are still at the start of the pandemic and still have a long way to go as regards dealing with the virus.
The figures reported to us by the Robert Koch Institute for several days now are very encouraging. I want to underline that. A fortnight ago, we hoped to be able to see these kinds of figures after the first larger steps towards opening, especially in the retail sector. The figures are lower than then, and I personally am very glad that this worked. The number of new infections per day is no longer in the thousands every day, but sometimes in the hundreds. The reproduction number is constantly below one. Only in one district in Germany is there a figure of over 50 acute cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and we have largely managed to be able to trace the chains of infection. That is the result of boosting the work of the public health offices. I would like to take this opportunity to say a very warm thank you to the staff of the health offices for this. In the history of our country, they have rarely been as much the focus of attention as they are now.
That’s why we are now at a point where we can say that we have achieved the goal of slowing down the spread of the virus and have been able to protect our healthcare system from collapse. We were able to achieve this because – and this is the most important point – people have lived their lives responsibly during the time of the virus, accepted the restrictions and thus saved other people’s lives.
In view of the current situation, we were also able to discuss and agree on further openings with the Minister-Presidents today. We received a large number of concepts from the specialised ministers’ conferences in recent days, with input from many associations, federations and special interest groups. I am also very grateful indeed for this, as we see that people simply accept the hygiene regulations and the things we need to do at the time of the virus and that daily life is being reorganised in many sectors in line with these requirements.
We also had a long discussion once again today about what things must remain in place. It is perfectly clear – and it didn’t take us long to agree on this – that the minimum distance requirement of 1.5 metres and the use of masks in public space, particularly on public transport and in shops, still stand. Masks may also become compulsory in some places in other sectors that are now being reopened.
We also discussed how contact restrictions are naturally a crucial element, and that’s why we agreed that such contact restrictions will fundamentally remain in place until 5 June. In view of the lower infection rate, people will now be able to spend time in public space not only on their own or with members of their own household or one other person, but also with members of another household. Members of two households are now allowed to meet in public space. But that is still a very clear restriction on contact simply because we want to prevent a rapid spread of infection. This agreement will not affect decisions already made by individual Länder.
Given the fact that there is a very wide range of specific regulations on what exactly can reopen and when – this is due to the different infection rates, but also to the diversity of our federal system – we agreed on something today that I regard as crucial and important for the coming time. If we experience regional differences – and they exist – and if we have lower infection rates, then we also need to have an emergency mechanism where we say that if regional infection hotspots reoccur, then we have to be able to reintroduce special measures in these places. In our previous decisions, we always said that in general.
We have now firmed this up and said that the Länder will ensure that districts or urban municipalities with over 50 new cases of infection cumulatively per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous seven days will draw up a concept on comprehensive restrictions in cooperation with the relevant Land authorities. If the infections are in a specific location that can be clearly defined, such as in an institution like a hospital or a care home, then this concept on restrictions can apply to this institution only. But if we are talking about a regional outbreak across a more widespread area and with unclear chains of infection, then general restrictions will definitely have to be reintroduced until the figure has fallen again to under 50 acute cases per 100,000 inhabitants on seven consecutive days. I would like to point out that there is currently only one district in Germany where the infection rate is over 50 acute cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
We also spoke again about the tracing app that is still being developed.
And we talked again about the school concept agreed by the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. We did two things that are very important to me. One is in schools and the other is to increase the amount of emergency childcare in day care centres, as we know that children rightfully want to return to their normal lives as much as possible. This will take time. But the Länder have now prepared concepts on this, too, on the basis of which this will increasingly become possible.
One group is of particular importance to me, namely older people in care homes who have largely had to do without visitors for weeks and who are not able to leave these homes and institutions. We know what that means or can only guess what it’s like. These people have a legitimate expectation that we also think about them at a time of reopening, and that is why it was very important to me that efforts are being made so that a fixed contact person will be able to have regular access to people in care homes or people with dementia or, in homes for the disabled, to people with disabilities.
We then also discussed a large number of other sectors, including shops, which can now open regardless of size, although naturally in line with the hygiene concepts. We spoke about recreational sport and also about the first and second Bundesliga divisions, which will be allowed to resume playing from the second half of May under the approved and tested regulations. We then said that the Länder will draw up a concept on sport, as well as on many other sectors that I don’t want to go into now, and that they can then carry out the measures on opening, naturally doing so step by step.
It is also important to me that a concept be developed for theatres, opera houses, concert venues and cinemas. We have asked the Minister of State for Culture and the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs to do so. There are now exemplary ways – as we have seen in the case of religious events – for cultural events to be able to take place again.
All in all, we had a very constructive discussion. In view of the diversity of our federal system, it is no surprise that there are always different opinions on what is most important. That’s completely normal. I want to reiterate very clearly that the hygiene regulations must be observed everywhere. That was said by everyone at our meeting today. In the restaurant sector, for instance, this means that not only do two tables have to be two metres apart from each other, but that if people from two households are sitting at a table, the restaurant will have to ensure that the minimum distance between them is guaranteed. If two people sit opposite each other at a table that is 50 centimetres wide, this does not meet the hygiene-concept requirements. This will be an enormous challenge, including for the sectors that are now opening. Nevertheless, we believe that it is better if we take some steps and naturally give people something to look ahead to, both in schools and kindergartens, as well as in other sectors, rather than making no progress at all.
Not only do we have – and I regard this as crucial – a path towards more opening, we also have a backup plan that says if something happens somewhere, if the infection rate increases somewhere, then we have an emergency mechanism, and in that case only specific regions, and not the whole country, may have to retrace their steps. All in all, I see this as a well-balanced decision.
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11.05.2020
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Merkel
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FEDERAL CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve just paid a virtual visit, that’s to say I had a video conference with the health office in Harz district, the district commissioner as well as Minister-President Haseloff. With this visit, I wanted to thank all health offices in the Federal Republic of Germany and, at the same time, find out more about the specific work they do.
We all know that public health offices and the public health service are playing a pivotal role in the fight against this pandemic. In this connection, it’s crucially important that the health offices do their work well – and the staff is doing a good job – and that they tell us when they need more help. We also spoke about this. They have received additional support. We have the scouts. We also have the Bundeswehr which, if necessary, is ready to provide assistance. This is therefore a vital point at which it will be determined whether we really can trace all contacts of newly infected persons.
So today’s conversation was very important to me. I’d like to express my sincere thanks once more. Let me tell you – the staff are committed to their work. Their efforts will be successful. Together with the Länder, we will give them additional support wherever it’s needed.
However, I want to stress once more that we’re now entering a new phase in the pandemic and that it will now be necessary to be certain that, despite the easing of the containment measures, we truly have security that people are abiding by the basic rules, that’s to say keeping their distance from one another, wearing a mask and showing consideration for each other. That’s essential.
Thank you very much.
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18.05.2020
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Merkel
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CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Ladies and gentlemen, not only am I happy to have had a video conference with French President Emmanuel Macron today, as has become standard in the meantime during the pandemic, I’m also pleased that we’re able to hold the press conference today in a way that will allow you to ask the two of us questions, both in Berlin and Paris. So my warm regards to you in Paris.
We spoke today about how France and Germany can play a part in overcoming the pandemic crisis, which we agree is the severest crisis the European Union has ever faced. A crisis of this type requires the right kind of answers.
Franco German cooperation and friendship call on us to send this message, in awareness that there are 27 of us. But I believe that if Germany and France get the ball rolling, this will help us to reach consensus in Europe and support the process of reaching consensus. We need to take action. We need to take action at the European level so that we emerge sound and stronger from this crisis.
The Finance Ministers have already launched a large package of guarantees as regards the European Investment Bank, the ESM and SURE unemployment insurance for reduced hours compensation benefit. This has been approved by the Heads of State and Government. That was a tremendous contribution, a first step. We now want to implement this quickly.
But it is not enough. We already said at the time that we need a recovery fund. Germany and France have spoken in depth about what form this recovery fund could take.
What is the goal? The goal is that Europe will emerge united and mutually supportive from this crisis. We know that the virus affects our countries in different ways and that this is why we face a risk that the economic impact of this virus will undermine EU cohesion and that the cohesion we actually need no longer exists. That is why the recovery fund must play a part in enabling all countries in Europe to respond in the right way. This requires an extraordinary, one off exertion, one that Germany and France are willing to make.
Europe needs to stand together. We need rapid economic recovery. That is why we want to launch a temporary fund of 500 billion euro for EU budget expenditure. In other words, this would not provide loans, but rather budget funding for the sectors and regions hit hardest by the crisis. We firmly believe that it is both justified and necessary to now provide funding for this from the European side that we will gradually deploy across several European budgets in the future.
Naturally, all this needs to comply with the European treaties and European budget law and of course it also affects parts of the member states’ budget planning. It is thus crucial that a recovery fund of this type be based on a sound legal footing and reflect national parliaments’ budget autonomy.
However, we will set up the fund in this way. That means that the Commission will raise money so that the recovery fund and the medium term budgetary framework will then make up the overall EU budget and provide significantly more funding in the first years after the crisis – namely these 500 billion euro – in order to support the affected countries and sectors via the budget.
This exertion is necessary. We firmly believe that. This will lead to greater cohesion in Europe than is currently the case.
Furthermore, we will work very closely together on making the European Union fit for the future. Naturally, this funding will also be used to invest in digital transformation, the Green Deal and tackling the climate catastrophe, thus generating new momentum for the future. In the future – and this is also part of the Franco German initiative – we will work very closely together on health and the lessons we learn from this crisis.
All in all, I’m very glad that Germany and France can announce this initiative today. It is what I believe we need so that we can play our part in the future of the European Union.
Furthermore, after this pandemic we will run the member states’ Conference on the Future of Europe with the European Parliament and the Commission in a different way than we had originally planned, as we need to talk seriously about where there were shortcomings in Europe and what will define the future of the European Union. This can also include amendments to the treaties; it can include far greater integration. We are presenting the short answer to the crisis today, so to speak. The long answers will need to be discussed because Europe must be developed further.
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04.06.2020
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Merkel
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Secretary-General António Guterres,
Boris Johnson,
Mr Berkley,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to thank all those involved in this truly important conference. Together, we can create the prerequisites for vaccinating a further 300 million children in the coming years in order to protect them from potentially lethal diseases. And we want to do so. Our aim here is to give over 300 million young people a greater chance of healthy development. And this is something we can achieve. 300 million is not just a number. It involves the lives of individual people. Despite all the discussion about funding, we must not lose sight of that.
COVID-19 has made Gavi’s work even more important. A virus that spreads worldwide can only be tackled effectively by joint global efforts. These include setting up research alliances. We need to simplify processes in order to achieve results faster. It is also vital to strengthen health-sector actors such as Gavi because as soon as a suitable vaccine has been found, we need to be in a position to start a global vaccination campaign without delay. Every day counts.
Vaccination saves lives. That cannot depend on the country where you live. Ready-to-use vaccines must be affordable, available and freely accessible worldwide. This is an enormous undertaking, one that Gavi has been addressing for 20 years now – and with great success. To date, over 760 million children have been vaccinated against dangerous diseases. As a result, polio has been almost eradicated. I am pleased that Germany was able to play its part here as one of Gavi’s largest donors.
However, we see that COVID-19 is now jeopardising further progress. Not only does the virus itself pose significant health risks, the pandemic is also adversely affecting an enormous range of other health measures, such as immunisation programmes against measles and TB, meaning that these and other infectious diseases may spread more widely again. According to WHO estimates, up to 80 million children could be affected.
This means that we cannot neglect the standard vaccination programmes. Gavi must be able to continue the work it already does and to do it successfully. Germany will therefore continue supporting the Vaccine Alliance with funding of 600 million euro in the next five years, in addition to the 100 million euro it pledged at the EU’s Coronavirus Global Response Pledging Conference.
Together, we can get the better of infectious diseases. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And Gavi helps us to find this way. That’s why I hope that this conference will be successful for Gavi and ultimately for us all. Allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those involved.
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03.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good morning and thank you for coming along, and I am very glad to be joined this morning by the government’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor.
Today we have published the Coronavirus Action Plan setting out how all four parts of the UK will take all necessary and reasonable steps to tackle this outbreak.
The plan has four strands. Containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origins and cure, and finally mitigating the impact should the virus become more widespread. That is, contain, delay, research, mitigate.
And let me be absolutely clear that for the overwhelming majority of people who contract the virus, this will be a mild disease from which they will speedily and fully recover as we’ve already seen.
But I fully understand public concern, your concern, about the global spread of this virus. And it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases.
And that’s why keeping the country safe is the government’s overriding priority. And our plan means we’re committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities.
Let’s not forget – we already have a fantastic NHS, fantastic testing systems and fantastic surveillance of the spread of disease.
We will make sure the NHS gets all the support it needs to continue their brilliant response to the virus so far.
The plan does not set out what the government will do, it sets out the steps we could take at the right time along the basis of the scientific advice.
Our country remains extremely well prepared, as it has been since the outbreak began in Wuhan several months ago.
Finally, crucially, we must not forget what we can all do to fight this virus, which is to wash our hands, you knew I was going to say this, but wash our hands with soap and water. And forgive me for repeating this but there will be people who will be tuning into this for the first time: wash your hands with soap and hot water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
It’s simple advice but it’s the single most important thing we can do, as I think our experts would attest.
But at this stage, and with the exception of all of the points I have just mentioned, I want to stress that for the vast majority of the people of this country, we should be going about our business as usual.
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09.03.2020
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Johnson
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This morning I chaired a meeting of the government’s COBR emergency committee on the Coronavirus outbreak.
The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland also attended and we agreed to continue to work closely in the weeks and months ahead.
We received a detailed briefing from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Advisor. And again I repeat my gratitude to both Chris and to Patrick.
There have now been four deaths from coronavirus in the UK, and our deepest sympathies are obviously with their friends and families.
Our action plan as you know sets out the four phases of our approach to tackling the virus: Contain, Delay, Research, and Mitigate.
We remain in the Contain phase of the outbreak, but watching what is happening around the world, our scientists think containment is extremely unlikely to work on its own, and that is why we are making extensive preparations for a move to the delay phase.
We are preparing various actions to slow the spread of this disease in order to reduce the strain it places on the NHS. The more we can delay the peak of the spread to the summer, the better the NHS will be able to manage.
Patrick and Chris will give you some more detailed information on the latest advice we are giving the public today - and how we expect that advice to change as the outbreak develops.
As things stand I’m afraid it bears repeating that the best thing we can all do is wash our hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. We will also take questions, because I know there are lots of things the public want to hear from our advisors about.
But before that I want to stress the following things:
First, we are doing everything we can to combat this outbreak, based on the very latest scientific and medical advice.
Second, we have a truly brilliant NHS, where staff have responded with all the determination, compassion and skill that makes their service so revered across the world. And they will continue to have this government’s full support, my support, in tackling this virus on the frontline.
Third, we will set out further steps in the days and weeks ahead to help people protect themselves, their family and in particular the elderly and vulnerable.
And finally, while it is absolutely critical, it’s absolutely critical in managing the spread of this virus that we take the right decisions at the right time, based on the latest and best evidence. So we must not do things which have no or limited medical benefit, nor things which could turn out to be counterproductive.
There is no hiding from the fact that the coronavirus outbreak will present significant challenges for the UK, just as it does in other countries.
But if we continue to look out for one another, to pull together in a united and national effort, I have no doubt that we can and will rise to that challenge. And I’m now going to ask Patrick and then Chris to give their own perspective on where we are.
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12.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon everybody and thank you very much for coming.
I’ve just chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee including ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
And it’s clear that coronavirus, COVID-19, continues and will continue to spread across the world and our country over the next few months. We’ve done what can be done to contain this disease and this has bought us valuable time.
But it is now a global pandemic.
And the number of cases will rise sharply and indeed the true number of cases is higher - perhaps much higher - than the number of cases we have so far confirmed with tests.
I’ve got to be clear, we’ve all got to be clear, that this is the worst public health crisis for a generation.
Some people compare it to seasonal flu. Alas, that is not right. Owing to the lack of immunity, this disease is more dangerous.
And it’s going to spread further and I must level with you, level with the British public, many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time. And the Chief Scientific Adviser will set out the best information we have on that in a moment.
But as we’ve said over the last few weeks, we have a clear plan that we are now working through.
And we are now moving to the next phase in that plan.
Because this is now not just to attempt to contain the disease as far as possible, but to delay its spread and thereby minimise the suffering. If we delay the peak even by a few weeks, then our NHS will be in a stronger state as the weather improves and fewer people suffer from normal respiratory diseases, more beds are available and we’ll have more time for medical research.
We can also act to stretch the peak of the disease over a longer period so that our society is better able to cope.
The Chief Medical Officer will set out our lines of defence. We have to deploy these at the right time to maximise their effect. The most important task will be to protect our elderly and most vulnerable people during the peak weeks when there is the maximum risk of exposure to the disease and when the NHS will be under the most pressure. So the most dangerous period is not now but some weeks away depending on how fast it spreads.
Today therefore we are moving forward with our plan. From tomorrow, if you have coronavirus symptoms, however mild – either a new continuous cough or a high temperature – then you should stay at home for at least 7 days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease.
We advise all those over 70 and those with serious medical conditions against going on cruises and we advise against international school trips.
At some point in the next few weeks, we are likely to go further and if someone in a household has those symptoms, we will be asking everyone in the household to stay at home. We are not introducing this yet for reasons Sir Patrick will explain, but I want to signal now that this is coming down the track.
We are considering the question of banning major public events such as sporting fixtures. The scientific advice as we’ve said over the last couple of weeks is that banning such events will have little effect on the spread.
But there is also the issue of the burden that such events can place on public services. So we’re discussing these issues with colleagues in all parts of the United Kingdom and will have more to say shortly about the timing of further action in that respect.
At all stages, we have been guided by the science, and we will do the right thing at the right time.
We are not - repeat not - closing schools now. The scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time. But we are of course keeping this under review and this again may change as the disease spreads. Schools should only close if they are specifically advised to do so. And that remains our advice.
There is no escaping the reality that these measures will cause severe disruption across our country for many months.
The best scientific advice is that this will help us slow the disease and save lives. There will be detailed information available on the NHS website and from 111 online. But I want to stress something that is very important in the wake of what we’re saying this afternoon – I urge people, who think in view of what we’re saying about their potential symptoms that they should stay at home, not to call 111 but to use the internet for information if they can.
I also want at this stage to speak directly to older people. Because this disease is particularly dangerous for you, for older people, even though the vast majority this will be a mild to moderate illness, I know that many people will be very worried. And I think we should all be thinking about our elderly relatives, the more vulnerable members of their family, our neighbours, and everything we can do to protect them over the next few months. We’re going to need to mobilise millions of people to help and support each other. And I just want to you to know that the government will do all we can to help you and your family during this period. We’re not just going to be as you saw yesterday supporting the economy during this period, we will be providing money and many other forms of support, and helping communities to support each other.
And as we have done over the last few weeks, we will continue to provide, as soon as we have it, as much clear scientific and medical information as we can.
So I’d like to end by repeating the two important messages, with which you will have become familiar – it is still vital, perhaps more vital than ever – that we remember to wash our hands.
And lastly of course even if things seem tough now, just to remember, that we will get through this, this country will get through this epidemic, just as it has got through many tougher experiences before if we look out for each other and commit wholeheartedly to a full national effort.
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16.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon everybody, thank you very much for coming. I wanted to bring everyone up to date with the national fight back against the new coronavirus and the decisions that we’ve just taken in COBR for the whole of the UK.
As we said last week, our objective is to delay and flatten the peak of the epidemic by bringing forward the right measures at the right time, so that we minimise suffering and save lives. And everything we do is based scrupulously on the best scientific advice.
Last week we asked everyone to stay at home if you had one of two key symptoms: a high temperature or a new and continuous cough.
Today, we need to go further, because according to SAGE [the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] it looks as though we’re now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve.
And without drastic action, cases could double every 5 or 6 days.
So, first, we need to ask you to ensure that if you or anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms, then you should stay at home for fourteen days.
That means that if possible you should not go out even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities. And if that is not possible, then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies.
And even if you don’t have symptoms and if no one in your household has symptoms, there is more that we need you to do now.
So, second, now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel.
We need people to start working from home where they possibly can. And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.
It goes without saying, we should all only use the NHS when we really need to. And please go online rather than ringing NHS 111.
Now, this advice about avoiding all unnecessary social contact, is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions.
And if you ask, why are we doing this now, why now, why not earlier, or later? Why bring in this very draconian measure?
The answer is that we are asking people to do something that is difficult and disruptive of their lives.
And the right moment, as we’ve always said, is to do it when it is most effective, when we think it can make the biggest difference to slowing the spread of the disease, reducing the number of victims, reducing the number of fatalities.
And as we take these steps we should be focusing on the most vulnerable.
So third, in a few days’ time – by this coming weekend – it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks.
And again the reason for doing this in the next few days, rather than earlier or later, is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions, and difficult for them, but, I believe, it’s now necessary.
And we want to ensure that this period of shielding, this period of maximum protection coincides with the peak of the disease.
And it’s now clear that the peak of the epidemic is coming faster in some parts of the country than in others.
And it looks as though London is now a few weeks ahead.
So, to relieve the pressure on the London health system and to slow the spread in London, it’s important that Londoners now pay special attention to what we are saying about avoiding non-essential contact, and to take particularly seriously the advice about working from home, and avoiding confined spaces such as pubs and restaurants.
Lastly, it remains true as we have said in the last few weeks that risks of transmission of the disease at mass gatherings such as sporting events are relatively low.
But obviously, logically as we advise against unnecessary social contact of all kinds, it is right that we should extend this advice to mass gatherings as well.
And so we’ve also got to ensure that we have the critical workers we need, that might otherwise be deployed at those gatherings, to deal with this emergency.
So from tomorrow, we will no longer be supporting mass gatherings with emergency workers in the way that we normally do. So mass gatherings, we are now moving emphatically away from.
And I know that many people – including millions of fit and active people over 70 – may feel, listening to what I have just said, that there is something excessive about these measures.
But I have to say, I believe that they are overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of the disease, to reduce the peak, to save life, minimise suffering and to give our NHS the chance to cope.
Over the last few days, I have been comparing notes and talking to leaders around the world and I can tell you that the UK is now leading a growing global campaign amongst all our friends and allies, whether in the G7, the G20, the UN, the IMF – all those bodies in which we play a significant role.
We’re leading a campaign to fight back against this disease.
To keep the economy growing, to make sure that humanity has access to the drugs and the treatments that we all need, and the UK is also at the front of the effort to back business, to back our economy, to make sure that we get through it.
I know that today we are asking a lot of everybody. It is far more now than just washing your hands - though clearly washing your hands remains important.
But I can tell you that across this country, people and businesses in my experience are responding with amazing energy and creativity to the challenge that we face, and I want to thank everybody for the part that you are playing and are going to play.
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17.03.2020
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Johnson
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I want to go through our overall plan for beating this new coronavirus.
First, we must stop the disease spreading to a point where it overwhelms our NHS. Every country in the world has the same problem.
This is a disease that is so dangerous and so infectious that without drastic measures to check its progress it would overwhelm any health system in the world.
I have used the Italian health system, it is excellent, and the problem is not the health system, it’s the numbers of sufferance.
That is why we announced the steps yesterday that we did – advising against all unnecessary contact – steps that are unprecedented since World War 2.
They will have an effect on the spread of the disease.
The shielding of vulnerable groups will also reduce suffering, and I want to thank everybody at this stage for what we’re all doing to follow this advice.
I stress that although the measures announced are already extreme, we may well have to go further and faster in the coming days to protect lives and the NHS.
Secondly, we are doing all we can and as quickly as we can to increase the capacity of the NHS. That means more testing, more beds, more ventilators and more trained staff. It means greater support for NHS and other staff. And it means much better data and much better technology.
Third, we must do all we can to boost science and research. We must study this disease, test drugs that already exist and have been through medical trials to see what helps treat severe cases, and search for a vaccine. Fourth, we must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support our economy. That’s the main purpose of this press conference this afternoon.
We must support millions of businesses and tens of millions of families and individuals through the coming months. And to do that the government machine must and will respond with a profound sense of urgency. Thousands of brilliant officials are already working round the clock but we must do more and faster. The Chancellor will be saying much more about this in a moment, with further announcements in the coming days.
Fifth, we will need to strengthen other public services that will be under great pressure from the direct and indirect effects of the disease, such as the effects of staff shortages, and from the economic pressures. All institutions will be under great pressure and we will therefore invest hugely in the people that we all rely on, and again I want to thank all our public servants for what they are already doing.
Ultimately, to beat this crisis we will need a combination of better science, technology, medicine, data, government operations, economic support, learning from other countries and social support. As time goes on we will learn more and more about the disease and the effects of our actions. And while we need national unity, we also need international cooperation. And although we now need to impose physical distance between ourselves, we must at the same time have closer social support for each other.
Yes this enemy can be deadly, but it is also beatable – and we know how to beat it and we know that if as a country we follow the scientific advice that is now being given we know that we will beat it.
And however tough the months ahead we have the resolve and the resources to win the fight.
And, to repeat, this government will do whatever it takes.
I will now handover for more on that to Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
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18.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon. And thanks for coming or for indeed tuning in to these daily updates. I want to introduce, I’m sure you know Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, and you know Sir Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Advisor.
I want to tell you where we got to in our national fightback against the coronavirus. Today the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies met to discuss the latest evidence on the spread of the virus and the effects of the measures we have already taken to slow its spread. And Patrick is going to update us in a second about that.
I want to repeat that everyone – everyone – must follow the advice to protect themselves and their families, but also – more importantly – to protect the wider public. So stay at home for seven days if you think you have the symptoms. Remember the two key symptoms are high temperature, a continuous new cough.
Whole household to stay at home for 14 days if one member in that household thinks he/she has the symptoms. Avoid all unnecessary gatherings – pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres and so on and work from home if you can. Wash your hands.
And we have already announced in the last few days we will massively scale up our testing capacity in the weeks ahead so we hit 25,000 tests a day.
A huge public information campaign is being rolled out so people get all the information they need to protect themselves and others.
We are asking retired healthcare professionals to come back and help us cope, help the NHS to cope, with this unprecedented challenge.
And we will continue as we have from the beginning to do the right thing at the right time and to follow the best scientific advice.
And we come today to the key issue of schools where we have been consistently advised that there is an important trade off. And so far the judgment of our advisers has been that closing schools is actually of limited value in slowing the spread of the epidemic.
And that is partly because counterintuitively schools are actually very safe environments. And in this disease and epidemic children and young people are much less vulnerable.
And hitherto the advice has been that we should keep schools open if possible in order to reduce the pressure on the NHS and on all other public services. But I think you’ll agree I have always been very clear that this is a balanced judgment and one that we have kept under constant review.
So looking at the curve of the disease and looking at where we are now – we think now that we must apply downward pressure, further downward pressure on that upward curve by closing the schools.
So I can announce today and Gavin Williamson making statement now in House of Commons that after schools shut their gates from Friday afternoon, they will remain closed for most pupils – for the vast majority of pupils- until further notice. I will explain what I mean by the vast majority of pupils.
The objective is to slow the spread of the virus and we judge it is the right moment to do that.
But of course, as I’ve always said, we also need to keep the NHS going and to treat the number of rising cases. So we need health workers who are also parents to continue to go to work.
And we need other critical workers with children to keep doing their jobs too – from police officers who are keeping us safe to the supermarket delivery drivers, social care workers who look after the elderly and who are so vital. We will be setting out more details shortly about who we mean in these groups.
So we therefore need schools to make provision for the children of these key workers who would otherwise be forced to stay home. And they will also need to look after the most vulnerable children.
This will mean there will of course be are far fewer children in schools and that will help us to slow the spread of the disease. And these measures are crucial to make sure the critical parts of the economy keep functioning and public services keep functioning.
So we are simultaneously asking nurseries and private schools to do the same, and we are providing financial support where it is needed. We are making provisions to supply meals and vouchers for children eligible for free school meals. And where some schools are already doing this, I want to make it clear we will reimburse the cost. And of course this does mean that exams will not take place as planned in May and June. Though we will make sure that pupils get the qualifications they need and deserve for their academic career.
Now I know that these steps will not be easy for parents or teachers. And for many parents, this will be frustrating, and it will make it harder for them to go out to work.
And of course that is one of the reasons we haven’t wanted to go ahead and that’s why we are working now on further measures to ensure that we support not just businesses but also individuals and their families to keep our economy going as Rishi Sunak the Chancellor outlined yesterday.
I also need to remind parents that, as we have already advised, children should not be left with older grandparents, or older relatives, who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups and I know that will be difficult too. And I want to thank families for their sacrifice at this difficult time. I want to thank whole country for the efforts people are making to comply with these measures.
I particularly want to thank the teachers, head teachers and all the support staff who keep schools going who will make these exceptional arrangements work, for the benefit of us all.
By looking after the children of key workers they will be a critical part of our fightback against Coronavirus. As I have said, we will take the right steps at the right time, guided by the science.
We believe the steps we have already taken, together with those I am announcing today, are already slowing the spread of the disease.
But we will not hesitate to go further, and faster, in the days and weeks ahead.
And we will do whatever it takes to so that we beat it together.
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19.03.2020
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Johnson
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I want to begin by thanking everyone, by thanking you, in the media, and also thanking everyone for the huge efforts that the country is making to comply with the advice that we’ve been given
And we’re asking such a huge amount,
asking students to put their education on hold,
we’re asking people not to socialise in the normal way
And already we can see the impact that this is having on the UK economy and on business, on great, great companies
And so it’s vital that we in Government stand behind them when what we are asking everyone to do is so crucial for saving literally thousands of lives by defeating this virus
And I am conscious as the days have gone by that people will want to know how long we are expecting them to keep it up
And I wanted to try to say something today about how I see the timescale of this campaign and where we’re going and what we need to do
I do think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks
And I am absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country but only if we take the steps, we all take the steps we have outlined,
And that is vital because that is how we are going to reduce the peak
and once we’ve achieved that, and I think that we will, if take the steps that I have said,
then the scientific progress that we’re making will really start to come into play and I wanted to discuss a little bit of that this afternoon with you
because we are rapidly becoming so much better at understanding the genomics at the heart of this virus, a lot of that is going on in this country,
we’re getting better at understanding the medicines that may treat and cure it
And today we have put the first British corona patient into a randomised trial for drugs that may treat the disease
UK experts and scientists expect to start trials for the first vaccine within a month
And above all we are getting better at testing
This crisis is so difficult because the enemy is invisible
And the answer is to remove the cloak of invisibility
And to identify the virus, and to be able to know which of us, is carrying it or who has actually had it and now got over it
And to give you an idea of what is coming down the track
We are in negotiations today to buy a so called antibody test
As simple as a pregnancy test
That could tell whether you have had the disease
And it’s early days, but if it works as its proponents claim then we will buy literally hundreds of thousands of these kits as soon as practicable because obviously it has the potential to be a total gamechanger
Because once you know that you have had it, you know that you are likely to be less vulnerable, you’re less likely to pass it on, and you can go back to work
And of course by the same token we are massively increasing the testing to see whether you have it now
And ramping up daily testing from 5000 a day to 10,000 to 25,000 and then up to 250,000
And that knowledge of where the virus is, will make a huge difference to our management of the disease and our ability to reduce disruption and economic difficulties
And I wanted to set that out because this is rapidly coming down the track as I say, but it will take time to come on stream
And that is why in the meantime, to get back to a theme that you know I’m going to repeat, it is absolutely vital that we follow the advice that we’ve been hearing over the last few days,
The announcements we’ve already made about staying at home if you have the symptoms, if your family has the symptoms,
about avoiding unnecessary contact
Avoiding gatherings where you may pick up the disease
pubs, bars, restaurants
Please, please follow all that advice scrupulously
Work from home if you possibly can
Wash your hands, wash your hands
And it’s by this combination of ruthless, determined, collective action and scientific progress that we’re already seeing that we will succeed
And I know how difficult it may be, or it may seem right now, but if we do this together we will save, as I say, many many thousands of lives
and to everybody in the UK, business world, everybody who is worried about their jobs, and everybody who faces difficulties because of the advice that we are giving,
I say to business, stand by your employees, stand by your workers because we will stand by you
And you’ll be hearing more about that in the course of the next day or so
And that is how, by a mixture of determined, collective action and scientific progress, I have absolutely no doubt that we will turn the tide of this disease and beat it together.
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20.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon and thank you for coming again,
Today I am joined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Jennie Harries deputy chief medical officer.
Yesterday I set out the ambition of this government to turn the tide against coronavirus within 3 months. And I want to repeat that determination today.
We are going to do it with testing. We are going to do it with new medicines, and with new digital technology that will help us to see the disease as it is transmitted, and thereby, by eliminating it, to stamp it out.
And above all, now we are going to defeat this disease with a huge national effort to slow the spread by reducing unnecessary social contact.
And I want to thank everyone for following the guidance we issued on Monday:
to stay at home for 7 days if you think you have the symptoms,
for 14 days if anyone in your household has either of the symptoms – a new continuous cough or a high temperature.
To avoid pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants.
To work from home if at all possible.
Keep washing your hands.
I know it has been tough.
I know it has been inconvenient.
But these actions that we’re all taking together are already helping to take the strain off our NHS.
Bit by bit, day by day, by your actions, your restraint and your sacrifice, we are putting this country in a better and stronger position, where we will be able to save literally thousands of lives, of people of all ages, people who don’t deserve to die now.
People whose lives can, must, and will be saved.
And as we take these actions together and as we make these sacrifices, we can see the impact on the real economy.
Already, fantastic British companies, already under huge strain, big and small.
Workers who are finding that their jobs are under threat or are going, through no fault of their own. And to all of them, we in government say: We will stand by you.
And I say that to companies, remember our joint objective: to beat this virus. And we will do everything in our power to help.
And in just a minute, Rishi is going to explain how we are going to help workers of all kinds to get through this crisis,
Supporting you directly in a way that Government has never been done before, in addition to the package we have already set out for business.
And of course these measures are intended to be temporary and of course I am confident that, in time, the UK economy is going to bounce back.
Of course it is.
But I must be absolutely clear with you: the speed of that eventual recovery depends entirely on our ability, our collective ability, to get on top of the virus now.
And that means we have to take the next steps, on scientific advice and following our plan, we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday which you will remember.
And of course people have already made a huge effort to comply with those measures for avoiding unnecessary social contact.
But we need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.
And so following agreement between all the formations of the United Kingdom, all the devolved administrations,
We are collectively telling, telling cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can, and not to open tomorrow.
Though to be clear, they can continue to provide take-out services.
We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale.
Now, these are places where people come together, and indeed the whole purpose of these businesses is to bring people together. But the sad things is that today for now, at least physically, we need to keep people apart.
And I want to stress that we will review the situation each month, to see if we can relax any of these measures.
And listening to what I have just said, some people may of course be tempted to go out tonight. But please don’t.
You may think you are invincible, but there is no guarantee you will get mild symptoms, and you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on to others
So that’s why, as far as possible, we want you to stay at home, that’s how we can protect our NHS and save lives.
To repeat, I know how difficult this is, how it seems to go against the freedom-loving instincts of the British people. And I also know much, right now, workers and business deserve the financial reassurance we are giving them.
But we will get through this.
We will get through it together, and we will beat this virus.
And to ram that point home: the more effectively we follow the advice that we are given, the faster this country will stage both a medical and an economic recovery in full.
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22.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon everyone
Thank you for coming, and thank you to Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary, and Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
I want again to thank everyone in the country today for the huge effort that we are collectively making.
I want to thank the amazing workers in the NHS, everybody working in social care, in every sector, in food distribution, transport, you name it – absolutely everyone who is keeping this country going today.
And I want to thank everyone who is being forced to do something differently today.
Everyone who didn’t visit their mum for Mother’s Day but Facetimed them, Skyped them, rang them instead.
Thank you for your restraint and for what you did.
Everyone who was forced to close a pub or a restaurant or a gym or any other business that could have done fantastic businesses on a great day like this.
Thank you for your sacrifice, I know how tough it must be.
And I can tell you again that this government will be standing behind you – behind British business, behind British workers, employees, self-employed – throughout this crisis.
And the reason we are taking these unprecedented steps to prop up businesses, support businesses and support our economy and these preventative measures is because we have to slow the spread of the disease and to save thousands of lives.
Today we have come to the stage of our plan that I advertised at the outset, when we first set out the plan of the UK government.
When we have to take special steps to protect the particularly vulnerable.
I said the moment would come where we needed to shield those with serious conditions. There are probably about 1.5 million in all.
And in a minute Robert Jenrick will set out the plan in detail.
But this shielding will do more than any other single measure that we are setting out to save life. That is what we want to do.
Also to reduce infection and to slow the spread of the disease.
We have to do more to make sure that the existing measures that we are taking are having the effect that we want.
So it is crucial that people understand tomorrow that the schools are closed.
And tomorrow you should not send your child to school unless you have been identified as a key worker.
And more generally in the view of the way people have responded over the last few days to the measures we have set out I want to say a bit more about how we interact outdoors.
Of course I want people to be able to go to the parks and open spaces and to enjoy themselves – it is crucial for health and mental and physical wellbeing.
But please follow the advice and don’t think that fresh air in itself automatically provides some immunity.
You have to stay two metres apart; you have to follow the social distancing advice.
And even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect and whose lives will then be put at risk.
And I say this now – on Sunday evening – take this advice seriously, follow it, because it is absolutely crucial.
And as I have said throughout this process we will keep the implementation of these measures under constant review and, yes of course, we will bring forward further measures if we think that is necessary.
Always remember that in following this advice- and I know how difficult that is – that each and every one of us.
You are doing your bit in following this advice to slow the spread of this disease.
The more we collectively slow the spread, the more time we give the NHS to prepare, the more lives we will save, the faster we will get through this.
And always remember – we will get through this, and we will beat it together.
Next Robert Jenrick to outline the shielding measures.
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23.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good Evening,
The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone.
All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.
And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help.
And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.
Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.
And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger.
To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.
So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.
Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS’s ability to cope - and save more lives.
And that’s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.
And though huge numbers are complying - and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more.
From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.
That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:
shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.
You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.
If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:
close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;
we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with;
and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.
No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.
I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.
And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.
And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.
And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through.
Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7500 former clinicians now coming back to the service.
With the time you buy - by simply staying at home - we are increasing our stocks of equipment.
We are accelerating our search for treatments.
We are pioneering work on a vaccine.
And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer.
I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus.
Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline.
But in this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted.
Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together.
To halt the spread of this disease.
To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.
And I know that as they have in the past so many times.
The people of this country will rise to that challenge.
And we will come through it stronger than ever.
We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together.
And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.
Thank you.
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25.03.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon.
Thank you for joining us for today’s daily briefing on coronavirus.
I would like to update you all on the government’s plan to defeat the virus and on the latest developments.
I am joined once again by our Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and the Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance.
From the very beginning of this crisis I have followed the advice of our world-leading scientists.
To defeat coronavirus by taking the right measures at the right time.
What everyone needs to recognise is that our NHS – like any world-class health service – has only limited numbers of doctors, nurses and specialist equipment.
So, the more people who become sick at any one time, the harder it is for the NHS to cope.
And so it is vital to delay the spread of the disease and reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time.
That is why we have given the clear instruction that people must stay at home – unless they have one of the reasons we have set out.
And, with your help we will slow the spread of the disease.
I want to thank everyone who has been following the clear rules that we set out on Monday.
And I want to thank everyone in the NHS, the front line of the fight against coronavirus.
And of course all our public services.
Our teachers and our school staff, the transport workers, police officers,
And everyone who is keeping this country going.
But I also want to offer a special thank you to everyone who has now volunteered to help the NHS.
When we launched the appeal last night we hoped to get 250,000 over a few days.
But I can tell you that in just 24 hours 405,000 people have responded to the call.
They will be driving medicines from pharmacies to patients.
They will be bringing patients home from hospital.
Very importantly they’ll be making regular phone calls to check on and support people who are staying on their own at home.
And they will be absolutely crucial in the fight against this virus.
That is already – in one day – as many volunteers as the population of Coventry.
And so, to all of you, and to all the former NHS staff who are coming back now into the service.
I say thank you on behalf of the entire country.
Now I want to take some questions but finally I want to remind everyone of our core policy:
Stay at home
Protect the NHS
And save lives.
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30.04.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon, welcome everyone again to this Number Ten press conference where I am joined by Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance our Chief Scientific Advisor
And I am sorry not to have been part of this trio for so long
I want to thank everybody who has been doing such a good job in my absence and
I want to thank the NHS for so much
Including getting me back here and I might add for a much happier hospital visit yesterday
In a few minutes I am going to hand over to Patrick to update you on the epidemic
But first I am going to set out today’s latest data
901,905 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 81,611 tests yesterday
171,253 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 6,032 cases since yesterday
15,043 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus, compared to 15,359 people yesterday
And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 26,711 have now died. That’s an increase of 674 fatalities since yesterday across all settings.
This figure of course includes deaths not just in hospitals.
Across this country, therefore, families every day are continuing to lose loved ones before their time
We grieve for them and with them
But as we grieve we are strengthened in our resolve to defeat this virus
To get this whole country back to health, back on its feet
And we are determined urgently and in particular to overcome those challenges that in the last few weeks have been so knotty and so infuriating
I’m not going to minimise the logistical problems we have faced in getting the right protective gear to the right people at the right time, both in the NHS and in care homes
Or the frustrations that we have experienced in expanding the numbers of tests
But what I can tell you is that everyone responsible for tackling these problems whether in
Government or the NHS, or Public Health England, local authorities
We are throwing everything at it, heart and soul, night and day
To get it right – and we will get it right and we are making huge progress
And I will not underrate the work and the achievement of those who are dealing with global shortages, in a global pandemic
They are rising to a challenge we have never seen in our lifetimes
And the same can be said of the entire people of this country Staying in enforced confinement
Not seeing family, not seeing friends or grandchildren
Worrying about their jobs and the future
And so my message to everyone again today is your effort and your sacrifice is working and has been proved to work
Today the number of Covid hospital admissions is falling
The number of patients in ICU is falling
We have so far succeeded in the first and most important task we set ourselves as a nation
To avoid the tragedy that engulfed other parts of the world
Because at no stage has our NHS been overwhelmed
No patient went without a ventilator
No patient was deprived of intensive care
We have five of the seven projected Nightingale wards
And it is thanks to that massive collective effort to shield the NHS that we avoided an uncontrollable and catastrophic epidemic where the reasonable worst case scenario was 500,000 deaths
And so I can confirm today for the first time that we are past the peak of this disease
We are past the peak and we are on the downward slope
And we have so many reasons to be hopeful for the long term
The UK is leading international efforts to find a vaccine
Today Oxford university has announced a partnership with Astrazeneca to develop what they believe could soon be a means of inoculating ourselves against this disease
But until this day comes – and I am afraid we cannot say exactly when it may be
We will have to beat this disease by our growing resolve and ingenuity
So I will be setting out a comprehensive plan next week
To explain how we can get our economy moving, one,
How we can get our children back to school, back into childcare, second, and third how we can travel to work and how we can make life in the workplace safer
And in short how we can continue to suppress the disease and at the same time re-start the economy.
A huge amount of work has been going on on that that plan and as we produce it we are being guided by the science, and we will try to build the maximum political consensus as we produce it across all parties and across the UK
But there will be five key tests that we must satisfy before we can put that plan into action
We must be sure that we can continue to protect the NHS and its ability to cope
We must see a sustained fall in deaths
We must be sure that the infection rate is falling
We must overcome the operational and logistical challenges on testing and PPE
Fifth, and this is the most important, we must all make sure that the measures we take do not risk a second spike that would overwhelm the NHS
We have come through the peak
Or rather we’ve come under what could have been a vast peak
as though we’ve been going through some huge alpine tunnel
And we can now see the sunlight and pasture ahead of us
And so it is vital that we do not now lose control and run slap into a second and even bigger mountain
And so to avoid that disaster our fifth and final test is that nothing as I say we do should lift the R or the reproduction rate of that disease back above one
And before I hand over to Patrick I am going to ask for a short explanatory clip about the one
And before we come to that clip, let me just emphasise that keeping the R down is going to be absolutely vital to our recovery, keeping the reproduction rate of the disease down, and we can only do it by our collective discipline and working together
I know we can do it, because we did it, we’ve shown we can do it, in phase one of this disease
This country came together in a way few of us have seen in our lifetimes
To protect the NHS and to save lives and that’s why I am absolutely convinced we can do it in phase two as well
Can we play the video now.
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10.05.2020
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Johnson
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It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war.
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly.
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing.
Because you understand that as things stand, and as the experience of every other country has shown, it’s the only way to defeat the coronavirus - the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.
And though the death toll has been tragic, and the suffering immense.
And though we grieve for all those we have lost.
It is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities.
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down.
And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives.
And so I know - you know - that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.
We must stay alert.
We must continue to control the virus and save lives.
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life.
We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants.
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease, and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing.
To their futures and the futures of their children.
So I want to provide tonight - for you - the shape of a plan to address both fears.
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society.
A sense of the way ahead, and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed.
I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening.
I have consulted across the political spectrum, across all four nations of the UK.
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates.
And though it is right to be flexible in our response.
I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together.
And today a general consensus on what we could do.
And I stress could.
Because although we have a plan, it is a conditional plan.
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives, we cannot move forward unless we satisfy the five tests.
We must protect our NHS.
We must see sustained falls in the death rate.
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.
We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it, and yes, it is a global problem but we must fix it.
And last, we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease - the R - back up over one, so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago.
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one, we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases.
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures.
The higher the level, the tougher and stricter we will have to be.
There will be five alert levels.
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down.
By staying alert and following the rules.
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do.
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS, and though the numbers are coming down sharply now, there is plainly much more to be done.
And if we are to control this virus, then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims, and for tracing their contacts.
So that – all told - we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day.
We have made fast progress on testing – but there is so much more to do now, and we can.
When this began, we hadn’t seen this disease before, and we didn’t fully understand its effects.
With every day we are getting more and more data.
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer, and we will pick it up where it strikes.
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups – in your area – as well as giving us a national picture.
And yet when I look at where we are tonight, we have the R below one, between 0.5 and 0.9 – but potentially only just below one.
And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given.
We have by no means fulfilled all of them.
And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.
And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week.
We said that you should work from home if you can, and only go to work if you must.
We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.
And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure.
And when you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards.
And from this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.
And so every day, with ever increasing data, we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections, and the progress we are making, and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
In step two – at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays. And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport.
And step three - at the earliest by July - and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity. We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health.
And I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big Ifs. It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.
And to prevent re-infection from abroad, I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air.
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here, that this measure will now be effective.
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes.
We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous.
We have a route, and we have a plan, and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives, restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need.
But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work.
And when I look at what you have done already.
The patience and common sense you have shown.
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can.
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff, our care workers.
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease.
Police, bus drivers, train drivers, pharmacists, supermarket workers, road hauliers, bin collectors, cleaners, security guards, postal workers, our teachers and a thousand more.
The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine.
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country.
And that have helped to get us through this first phase.
I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next.
And if we can’t do it by those dates, and if the alert level won’t allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.
We will come back from this devilish illness.
We will come back to health, and robust health.
And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before. More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing.
But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
Thank you very much.
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11.05.2020
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Johnson
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Good evening and thank you for joining us for this Downing Street press conference.
First of all, I want to update you on the latest data in our fight against coronavirus. I can report through the Government’s ongoing testing and monitoring programme that, as of today:
1,921,770 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 100,490 tests carried out yesterday;
223,060 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 3,877 cases since yesterday;
11,401 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus, down from 11,768 the previous day.
And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 32,065 have now died. That’s an increase of 210 fatalities since yesterday. This figure includes deaths in all settings not just in hospitals.
Before we begin questions from the public and from the media I just want to remind people of a number of important things I said in my address to the nation last night.
First, in order to monitor our progress, we are establishing a new COVID Alert Level System. The COVID Alert Level has five levels, each relating to the level of threat posed by the virus. The level will be primarily determined by the R value and the number of coronavirus cases. In turn, that COVID Alert Level will determine the level of social distancing measures in place. The lower the level the fewer the measures; the higher the level the stricter the measures.
Throughout the period of lockdown which started on March 23rd we have been at Level 4 – meaning a Covid19 epidemic is in general circulation, and transmission is high or rising exponentially. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people in this lockdown, we have helped to bring the R level down and we are now in a position to begin moving to Level 3, in steps.
And we have set out the first of three steps we will take to carefully modify the measures, gradually ease the lockdown, and begin to allow people to return to their way of life - but crucially while avoiding what would be a disastrous second peak that overwhelms the NHS.
After each step we will closely monitor the impact of that step on the R and the number of infections, and all the available data, and we will only take the next step when we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.
Step 1 - from this week:
Those who cannot work from home should now speak to their employer about going back to work.
You can now spend time outdoors and exercise as often as you like.
You can meet one person outside of your household outside (outdoors), provided you stay 2 metres apart. The social distancing measures remain absolutely crucial to us keeping the infection rate and the number of cases down as low as we possibly can.
Step 2 - from June 1, at the earliest, as long as the data allows, we aim to allow:
Primary schools to reopen for some pupils, in smaller class sizes;
Non-essential retail to start to reopen, when and where it is safe to do so;
Cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors, without crowds.
And then Step 3 – no earlier than July 4, and again, only if the data says it safe, we aim to allow:
More businesses and premises to open, including potentially those offering personal care such as leisure facilities, public places, and places of worship. Many of these businesses will need to operate in new ways to ensure they are safe, and we will work with these sectors on how to do this.
So, given we have taken the first step in carefully adjusting some of the measures today, and therefore our advice to people on what to do, we have also updated our messaging. We are now asking people to Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives.
Yes - staying alert, for the vast majority of people, still means staying at home as much as possible. But there are a range of other actions we’re advising people to take as we modify measures.
People should Stay Alert, by:
working from home if you can;
limiting contact with other people;
keeping distance if you go out - 2 metres apart where possible;
washing your hands regularly;
wearing a face covering when you are in enclosed spaces where it’s difficult to be socially distant - for example in some shops and on public transport;
and if you or anyone in your household has symptoms, you all need to self-isolate.
Because if everyone stays alert and follows the rules, we can control coronavirus by keeping the R down and reducing the number of infections. This is how we can continue to save lives, and livelihoods, as we begin as a nation to recover from coronavirus.
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24.05.2020
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Johnson
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Good afternoon.
I want to begin by answering the big question that people have been asking in the last 48 hours. And that is – is this Government asking you - the people, the public, to do one thing while senior people here in government do something else?
Have we been asking you to make sacrifices, to obey social distancing, to stay at home while some people have been basically flouting those rules and endangering lives?
And it is because I take this matter so seriously and frankly it is so serious that I can tell you today I have had extensive face to face conversations with Dominic Cummings and I have concluded that in travelling to find the right kind of childcare, at the moment when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus. And when he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father and every parent. And I do not mark him down for that. And though there have been many other allegations about what happened when he was in self-isolation and thereafter, some of them palpably false.
I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly, and legally, and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.
And I stress this fundamental aim, because it is thanks to this country’s collective resolve in achieving that aim that we continue to make progress.
So let me give you today’s figures:
3,458,905 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 110,401 tests carried out yesterday
259,559 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 2,409 cases since yesterday – a smaller increase than we were seeing over the last few weeks
8,951 people are in hospital with COVID-19 in the UK, down 11% from 10,085 this time last week
And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 36,793 have now died. That’s an increase of 118 fatalities since yesterday.
And each of those fatalities represents a family in mourning, the grief of friends and relatives. And as we mourn them we resolve again to beat this virus and get our country back on its feet. We can and we will.
Two weeks ago I set out the Government’s roadmap to begin easing the measures we put in place to control the spread of coronavirus.
I said that we would do so in a safe and controlled way, based on our assessment of progress against the five tests we set for adjusting the lockdown.
We’re going to set out that assessment in detail in the coming days, but today I can confirm that I do believe we will be in a position to move to step 2 of our plan.
As part of Step 2, we set out plans for a phased reopening of schools.
Because the education of our children is crucial for their welfare, their health, for their long term future and for social justice
And so in line with the approach being taken by other countries, we want to start getting our children back in the classroom in a way that is manageable and as safe as possible.
So we said this would begin with early years settings and reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in primary schools.
Today I can announce that it is our intention to go ahead with that as planned on June 1st, a week on Monday.
We then intend, from June 15th, for secondary schools to provide some contact for Year 10 and Year 12 students to help them prepare for exams next year, with up to a quarter of these students in at any point.
By opening schools to more pupils in this limited way, we are taking a deliberately cautious approach.
And this comes after a constructive period of consultation with schools, teachers and unions, led by the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.
I want to thank all the Education and childcare staff who have stepped up to the challenge and kept schools open throughout this crisis.
The Department for Education will engage with teaching unions, local authorities and school leaders in the coming days, giving them an opportunity to ask questions and probe the evidence behind our plans.
And the final decision will be taken as part of the formal review into lockdown measures which the law requires us to undertake by Thursday. We will of course continue to consider all the evidence (as we said we would do), and will continue to work hard with those bodies over the course of the coming week.
However, I think it is important for us to be clear about the Government’s intentions now, so that teachers and parents can plan in earnest for schools to reopen a week on Monday.
Now I acknowledge that a 1 June opening may not be possible for all schools, but the Government will continue to support and work with the sector to ensure that any schools experiencing difficulties are able to open more widely as soon as possible.
Detailed guidance has been published by the Department for Education on how schools can open in a way which is safe for children, teachers and parents.
While of course we recognise that full social distancing may not be possible, especially when teaching young children, our guidance sets out a range of protective measures to keep children and staff safe. This includes:
reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with others
staggered break and lunch times, as well as drop offs and pick ups
increasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the used of shared items and utilising outdoor space
All children and staff, and their families, will have access to testing if they display symptoms. This will enable children and staff to get back to school if they test negative, and if they test positive we will take the appropriate reactive measures.
We will continue to work with the sector to support them to prepare for wider opening and ensure all children and young people can continue to receive the best care, education and training possible.
We will set out what moving to step 2 means for other areas, such as non-essential retail and more social contacts, over the course of the next week.
And let me stress once again: we are making good progress.
But that progress is conditional, provisional.
We must keep reducing the incidence of this disease.
We must keep that R down below 1.
And that means we must remember the basics.
Wash our hands, keep social distance, isolate if you have symptoms – and get a test.
We are beating this thing, but we will beat it all the faster if we stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
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25.05.2020
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Johnson
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Good evening and welcome to the Number Ten Coronavirus Press Conference
Before I turn to this evening’s announcements, I want to update you on the latest data
3,532,634 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 73,726 tests carried out yesterday;
261,184 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 1,625 cases since yesterday;
8,834 people are in hospital with COVID-19 in the UK, down (12%) from 10,092 this time last week;
And sadly, of those who tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 36,914 have now died. That’s an increase of 121 fatalities since yesterday. This new figure includes deaths in all settings not just in hospitals.
And once again my deepest condolences go out to all those who have lost their loved ones before their time. We must not, and will not, forget them.
Two weeks ago, I set out our road map for the next phase of our fight against Covid 19
It is a cautious plan, informed by the evidence about what is safe, and conditional upon our continued progress against the virus.
And we are making progress. Thanks to this country’s collective efforts, the key indicators are heading in the right direction. The daily number of deaths is down, the number of new cases is down, our survey evidence suggests the infection rate is falling, and the R has not risen above one.
So just over 2 weeks ago, we moved to step 1 of our plan, encouraging those who are unable to work from home to go back to work, with new guidelines setting out how workplaces can be made COVID-secure.
At the same time, we allowed people to spend more time outdoors and to meet one member of another household outside, provided they remain 2 metres apart.
I also said we would be able to move to step 2 of our plan no earlier than Monday 1 June - a week today.
We will set out our formal assessment of the 5 tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week, as part of the 3 weekly-review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.
But because of the progress we are making, I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move into step 2.
And I think it is important to give that notice, so that people have sufficient time to adjust and get ready before those changes come into effect.
Yesterday I set out our intention to begin reopening nurseries and particular years in primary schools, reception, year 1, year 6, from 1 June, followed by some contact for those secondary school pupils with exams next year from 15 June. Some contact for years 10 and 12 from 15 June with their teachers.
This announcement has given schools, teachers and parents clarity about our intentions, enabling them to prepare in earnest. The Department for Education is now engaging with teaching unions, councils and school leaders to help schools get ready.
Today, I want to give the retail sector notice of our intentions to reopen shops, so they too can get ready.
So I can announce that it is our intention to allow outdoor markets to reopen from June 1, subject to all premises being made COVID-secure, as well as car showrooms, which often have significant outdoor space and where it is generally easier to apply social distancing.
We know that the transmission of the virus is lower outdoors and that it is easier to follow Covid Secure guidelines in open spaces. That means we can also allow outdoor markets to reopen in a safe way that does not risk causing a second wave of the virus.
Then, from 15 June, we intend to allow all other non-essential retail, ranging from department stores to small, independent shops, to reopen. Again, this change will be contingent upon progress against the 5 tests and will only be permitted for those retail premises which are COVID-secure.
Today we are publishing new guidance for the retail sector detailing the measures they should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards. Shops now have the time to implement this guidance before they reopen. This will ensure there can be no doubt about what steps they should take.
While the vast majority of businesses will want to do everything possible to protect their staff and customers, I should add that we will, of course, have the powers we need to enforce compliance where that is required.
I want people to be confident they can shop safely, provided they follow the social distancing rules for all premises.
The food retail sector has already responded fantastically well, enabling supermarkets to be kept open in a safe way – and we will learn lessons from that experience as we allow other retail to open.
These are careful but deliberate steps on the road to rebuilding our country.
And we can only take these steps thanks to what we have so far achieved together.
We will only be successful if we all remember the basics - so wash your hands, keep social distance, and isolate if you have symptoms – and get a test.
I will now hand over to Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director of Public Health England, to take us through today’s slides.
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28.05.2020
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Johnson
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Good evening,
Before I set out our next steps in the fight against the coronavirus, let me update you on the latest data:
3,918,079 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 119,587 tests carried out yesterday;
269,127 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 1,887 cases since yesterday;
8,560 people are in hospital with coronavirus, down 11% from 9,607 this time last week.
And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 37,837 have now died. That’s an increase of 377 fatalities since yesterday and we are with their friends and family in mourning.
As you know, we have set five tests which must be met before adjusting the lockdown - as set out on the first slide.
It is vital that these tests are met before any changes are made, because we must not risk all the hard work and sacrifice of the British people.
At all times we are informed by the data and evidence, about the spread of the virus and the impact of the measures taken so far.
I will now take you through our latest assessment of progress against each of the five tests.
Next slide please.
Our first test is to protect the NHS’s ability to cope, so that we are confident that we are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK.
At the start of the outbreak, there was significant concern that the NHS would not be able to cope. That turned out not to be the case, thanks to the heroic efforts of everyone who works in the NHS. And the heroic efforts of the British people to contain this virus.
The data show that on 26 May, 475 people were admitted to hospital in England with coronavirus - down from a peak of 3,121 on a single day, on 2 April.
On 27 May, 11% of mechanical ventilator beds in the UK were occupied by patients with coronavirus, down from a peak of 41% on 10 April.
This significant progress means we are meeting the first test.
Can I have the next slide please.
Our second test is to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates from COVID-19 so we are confident that we have moved beyond the peak.
As measured by a seven-day rolling average, the UK daily death rate now stands at 256, down from a peak of 943 on 14 April.
While every death is one too many, it is now the case that there has been a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate, and so the second test is being met.
Next slide please.
Our third test is to receive reliable information, reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection - the number of people catching Covid - is decreasing to manageable levels across the board.
And in the last seven days, an average of 2,312 new cases were confirmed with a positive test, that’s down from a peak of 5,066 in the first week of May.
Based on the various data available, the Government is satisfied that the third test is being met.
And in a moment, Sir Patrick will tell us more about other methods of measuring infections, including the R number.
Next slide please.
Our fourth test is that we must be confident that the range of operational challenges, including on testing capacity and Personal Protective Equipment, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand.
I fully acknowledge the difficulties on testing and PPE that we have faced since the start of the outbreak. It has been immensely frustrating, but we are now making progress.
Yesterday we carried out 119,587 tests, compared to around 12,000 at the start of April. Testing capacity has now increased to 161,214 a day.
We have now signed over 100 new deals with PPE suppliers around the world. Here in the UK, thanks to the efforts of Lord Deighton and his team and the brilliance of domestic manufacturers we have signed contracts for over two billion items of PPE, including facemasks, visors, gowns and aprons.
We are therefore satisfied that the fourth test is being met and we can start to rebuild stocks - though we recognise there may be some settings that require urgent restocking on occasion.
Can I have the next slide please.
Our fifth and final test is that we must be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS.
I am very grateful to the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Medical Officer for their assessments of the measures I am about to set out on schools, retail and social contact. Although all parts of the UK are moving in the same direction, it is important to note health is devolved and different parts of the UK are quite properly all moving at different speeds.
This package has been carefully designed so that we can ease the burdens of lockdown while expecting to keep that R below one. I cannot and will not throw away all the gains we have made together, and so the changes we are making are limited and cautious.
It is thanks to the caution we have shown so far that all five tests are being met. That is not my achievement or the government’s achievement - it is your achievement, only possible thanks to your resolve and dedication to our national purpose to overcome this virus.
So the result is we can move forward with adjusting the lockdown in England on Monday.
Firstly, as I set out on Sunday, we will now reopen schools to more children. Closing schools has deprived children of their education, and as so often it is the most disadvantaged pupils who risk being hardest hit.
On Monday we will start to put this right - in a safe way - by reopening nurseries and other early years settings and reception, year one and year six in primary schools.
A fortnight later on 15 June, secondary schools will begin to provide some face-to-face contact time for years 10 and 12.
Secondly, we will also start to reopen shops as we restart our economy.
We will begin, on Monday, with outdoor retail and car showrooms, where social distancing is generally easier.
And a fortnight later on 15 June, we intend to reopen other non-essential retail - but only provided the five tests are still being met and shops have been made Covid secure.
Lastly, I know the toll that lockdown has taken on families and friends who have been unable to see each other.
So from Monday we will allow up to six people to meet outside - provided those from different households continue strictly to observe social distancing rules by staying two metres apart.
At the moment, as you know, people can meet in parks but not in private gardens. This was a cautious first step - but we know that there is no difference in the health risk. So we will now allow people to meet in gardens and other private outdoor spaces.
These changes mean friends and family can start to meet their loved ones - perhaps seeing both parents at once, or both grandparents at once. I know that for many this will be a long-awaited and joyful moment.
But I must stress that to control the virus, everyone needs to stay alert, act responsibly, strictly observe social distancing rules, and stay two metres apart from those who you do not live with.
Minimising contact with others is still the best way to prevent transmission. You should also try to avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession - so that we can avoid the risk of quick transmission from lots of different families and continue to control the virus.
And it remains the case that people should not be inside the homes of their friends and families, unless it is to access the garden.
I should add that, at this stage, I am afraid that those who have been asked to shield themselves should continue to do so.
I want to say to those extremely clinically vulnerable people who are being shielded that I do understand how difficult this has been for you, especially. And I want to thank you for all the efforts you have gone to - because your actions have helped the NHS to cope.
We are looking carefully at how we can make your life easier, and how we can better support you, and we want to say more on that soon.
I want to reassure everyone that we can make all of the changes I have outlined in a safe way.
We know that children, and particularly young children, are much less likely to be seriously affected by the virus.
We know that if shops enforce social distancing, as required by our Covid secure guidelines, then the virus is less likely to spread.
And crucially, we know that transmission of the virus is far lower outdoors, so we can confidently allow more interaction outside.
I understand people will have questions as to how to do all of this safely - and we will publish guidance on these changes to help people, to help you, make the most of them.
Now inevitably, there may still be some anomalies, or apparent inconsistencies, in these rules. And clearly what we’re proposing is still just a fraction of the social interaction each of us would normally enjoy.
I know many of you will find this frustrating - I am sorry about that. But I’m afraid it is unavoidable, given the nature of the invisible enemy we are fighting.
It is a complex problem and we are asking for everyone’s patience as we work through it together. We will inevitably not get everything right first time.
But I must ask everyone to remember it is that same patience, the hard work, and sacrifices of the British people in lockdown that have got us so far and allow us to make the progress we have.
By protecting the NHS, getting us through the peak, and getting the virus under control - we are able to deliver all of the adjustments and easing of restrictions I have set out today.
These adjustments are most of those we set out to achieve in step two of our roadmap, and we have also been able to have them in place by June 1 as we had hoped.
There is no doubt that we are making progress and I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we may be able to do more.
Because obviously while protecting the health and safety of the British public is, and must always be, our number one priority, we must also work to restart our economy and society - so as many people as possible can begin returning to their way of life.
But I want to reaffirm that fundamental commitment to the British people that all the steps we have taken, and will take, are conditional.
They are conditional on all the data, and all the scientific advice, and it is that scientific advice which will help us to judge what we are doing is safe.
And I have to warn you, there will be further local outbreaks. So we will monitor carefully, we will put on the brakes as required, and where necessary, we will re-impose measures. It’s important to be clear about that up front.
And as before, we will see how these new changes are working, and look at the R value and the number of new infections before taking any further steps, so we can ensure anything we do does not risk a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS.
And yesterday, as I hope you all know, we took a huge step forward that will enable us to keep making progress in returning our lives to as close to normal as possible, while continuing to control the virus and isolate any new outbreaks.
And that is through our new NHS Test and Trace programme in England. The Scottish Government has established Test and Protect, and Welsh and Northern Irish schemes will follow next week.
And I’ll now show a short video that explains how NHS Test and Trace works in England and what we all need to do to play our part.
Now I’ll hand over to Sir Patrick.
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in Data Studio
YAML Metadata
Warning:
empty or missing yaml metadata in repo card
(https://huggingface.co/docs/hub/datasets-cards)
This dataset contains all publicly available speeches on COVID-19 made by the heads of three countries (Australia, Britain, Germany) during COVID-19 onset (February to June 2020)..
The dataset is used in the following paper (to appear in ACL 2025 Findings): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.00737
Please cite our paper if you use the dataset:
BibTeX:
@article{otmakhova2025narrative, title={Narrative Media Framing in Political Discourse}, author={Otmakhova, Yulia and Frermann, Lea}, journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.00737}, year={2025} }
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