Boris Johnson warns against early relaxation of lockdown

Boris Johnson said it was too early to lift the Covid-19 lockdown as the prime minister returned to work after contracting the virus.

Outside 10 Downing Street on his first day back from recuperation, Johnson said progress was being made but that the UK was still at a point of "maximum risk" and must not end the near-shutdown of the economy too early.

With divisions in his cabinet about how and when to ease restrictions he said a premature relaxation would risk a disastrous "second spike" of the virus that would undo the work done so far. He urged businesses, eager to resume trading, to be patient though he understood their frustration.

“We must also recognise the risk of a second spike and letting the reproduction rate go back over one," Johnson said. "That would not only be a new wave of death and disease but also an economic disaster and we would be forced once again to slam on the brakes across the whole country and whole economy and reimpose restrictions.

"“I refuse to throw away all the effort and sacrifice of the British people.” He told businesses: "I ask you to contain your impatience."

Johnson's absence after catching Covid-19 left a gap at the centre of the government. He was admitted to hospital on 5 April as deaths increased and then spent a period out of action while he recovered.

Senior ministers have disagreed over the next moves in managing the outbreak with Chancellor Rishi Sunak said to favour an earlier easing of restrictions and Health Secretary Matt Hancock opposing him.

Johnson's warning about a second peak chimes with the view of the Bank of England's governor, Andrew Bailey. He said last week relaxing restrictions and then reimposing them after a second wave of infections would damage confidence and the economy.

Johnson said: "We are making progress. Fewer hospital admissions, and real signs now we are passing through the peak. Thanks to your good sense and altruism, thanks to our collective national resolve, we are on the brink of achieving that first clear mission – of preventing our National Health Service from being overwhelmed.”