Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, responding after the government’s coronavirus press conference today, said:

“Labour urged the government to bring in the so-called ‘lockdown’ and supports maintaining enforced social distancing to save lives and protect the NHS where it is based on medical evidence.

“The British public have shown tremendous resolve in adhering to measures but are understandably looking for greater clarity from ministers on their ‘exit strategy’.

“We’ve said previously that a ‘lockdown’ in itself is a blunt tool without a national strategy for community testing and contact tracing. We’re calling on ministers to outline the next stage of their strategy to give the public the reassurance and clarity they expect.”