As British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday tried to announce plans to reopen the economy, his daily coronavirus briefing was overrun by questions about the travel habits of his most senior aide during lockdown.
Hours earlier, Dominic Cummings refused to apologise for taking a 420-kilometre trip with his wife and young son during the lockdown.
Mr Cummings refused to resign and said he had “no regrets” about travelling from London to his parents’ home in Durham, north-east England, when he and his wife became ill last month.
Britain has been in lockdown since March 23, with advice to avoid all but essential travel and to stay at home unless leaving to buy essential items, seek medical help or briefly exercise.
But Mr Cummings, the architect of the Brexit campaign, said a loophole in the rules about “exceptional circumstances” in regards to children meant he had not breached emergency laws.
In a later briefing, Mr Johnson defended his adviser’s actions, despite him breaching a health law he helped to create.
Critics say Mr Cummings's trip to Durham has undermined the government's coronavirus message of staying at home to stop the spread of infection.
“I do not believe anyone in Number 10 has done anything to undermine our messaging," Mr Johnson said.
"What we want to make clear to the public is that we stay alert, control the virus and save lives."
But he said that he regretted the confusion caused by the row over the lockdown.
-
Toronto Police keep watch at Trinity Bellwoods Park as the province prepares for more phased re-openings from the coronavirus restrictions in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Reuters -
US President Donald Trump participates in a round of golf amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Sterling, Virginia. Reuters -
People in Domino Park are seen in circles painted as guidelines for social distancing during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters -
A cleaning worker wearing personal protective equipment disinfects Jamaica Market in Mexico City during the coronavirus pandemic. AFP -
Children return to campus for the first day as New South Wales public schools fully reopen amid the easing of the coronavirus restrictions at Homebush West Public School in Sydney, Australia. Reuters -
Deacon Robert Lavanco of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, prays with Krystyna Kopacki as she kneels in the street during a procession called the Blessed Sacrament, to bring blessings to worshippers outside their homes while their church sanctuary is closed to them in the Queens borough of New York City. Reuters -
Demonstrators take part in a protest in favour of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in front of the Planalto Palace, amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Brasilia, Brazil. Reuters -
A street cleaner walks through the closed Broadway theatre district near Times Square following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Manhattan, New York City. Reuters -
Political campaign group Led By Donkeys transport a screen showing a pre-recorded video link of Britain's Boris Johnson delivering a statement, outside the home of his senior aide Dominic Cummings, in London. AP -
Some faithful greet Pope Francis as he appears at the window of the Apostolic palace after delivering his message during the Regina Coeli prayer, Vatican City. EPA -
People enjoy a sunny day at the beach in Costa da Caparica, Almada, Portugal. EPA -
Muslims take part in the Eid Al Fitr prayer at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters
Mr Johnson then chose to distance himself from the controversy, saying the British public “would have to make their minds up” and repeatedly referring back to Mr Cummings's earlier briefing.
He clearly wanted to turn the attention to his plans to reopen the UK economy..
Mr Johnson said Britain would open markets and car showrooms from June 1, subject to all premises adhering to social distancing.
He said the virus was less likely to spread in outdoor settings so outdoor businesses could reopen earlier.
Mr Johnson said he expected all other non-essential retail shops could open from June 15, including small independent shops that had been hit hard by the pandemic.
Britain on Monday confirmed another 121 coronavirus deaths in the previous 24 hours.
Mr Johnson said the new death toll for the country was 36,914.
The UK recorded 1,625 new cases of the virus in the previous 24 hours, but hospital admissions are declining, said Prof Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England.
Prof Doyle said 0.25 per cent is the average proportion of the population who had the virus between May 4 and 7, the most recent data available.
The current infection rate of the virus in the UK is between 0.7 and one, meaning each infected person is passing it on to only one other at most.
Britain has been one of the countries hardest hit by Covid-19, with the second highest number of deaths, behind the US.
