Raab states that PM remains “very much in charge of the government”

By Tim Le Couilliard

In the first Downing Street briefing since Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital, the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab delivered an update on the government’s response to the coronavirus. It was a welcome sight to see the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, back at the podium, having recently recovered from coronavirus himself.

Addressing the elephant in the room, Raab reflected that Boris Johnson had been admitted to hospital for tests and remains in hospital under observation because of persistent coronavirus symptoms. He affirmed, however, that the Prime Minister remains “very much in charge of the government” receiving regular updates and still “in good spirits”. Raab did say, however, that he himself hadn’t spoken to the Prime Minister since Saturday.

Raab reiterated that the government was continuing to follow scientific and medical advice and that the key focus is on “dramatically expanding the capacity of the NHS”. He confirmed that, as of today, 208,837 have now been tested for coronavirus. Statistics released earlier today by the Department for Health and Social Care stated that the numbers of those who have succumbed to the virus is 5,373 (as of 5^th April), up from 4,934 from the previous day in the UK hospitals. In positive news, the numbers of those admitted to hospital are slowing.

Moving on to outline the work that his own department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was contributing to the government’s efforts, Raab stated that it was using its diplomatic network around the world to source and buy ventilators and protective equipment for the NHS front line.

The Department is also working with other governments and the airlines to bring home stranded British nationals, prioritising those who are ‘most vulnerable’. To date, Raab said that 200,000 have been returned from Spain, 13,000 from Egypt and 8,000 from Indonesia. From elsewhere, more than 2,000 British nationals have been returned on government-chartered flights from other countries whilst 1,500 have been repatriated from cruise ships. For travellers and nationals still abroad, Raab confirmed that the government continues to work to keep airports open and keep commercial flights running. Funded by the £75m fund committed by the government last week, Raab stated that chartered flights will be made where there are no other options with India, South Africa, Nepal and the Philippines this week’s countries with government-chartered flights.

He noted the Queen’s statement that was broadcast last night, and reiterated the message of national unity, commending the resolve of the British people, and the collective effort to tackle the outbreak. He thanked, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the government, the work of the NHS.