Day 51: Key points from today's conference
Posted on May 2020 By Aaron Liffen

Today's govenrment coronavirus briefing was led by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who was joined by Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Angela McLean. It comes on a day where we see glimmers of hope as total number of UK deaths decline from peak, new figures suggest The number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 24 April was 354 less compared with the previous week.
Dominic Raab sets out the government's latest coronavirus figures:
1,383,842 tests for COVID-19, with 84,806 carried out yesterday.
194,990 positive tests, an increase of 4,406
29,427 have died.
Key points to take away from today's speech are:
Dominic Raab says the government's five tests for easing the lockdown "remain absolutely key".
Dominic Raab says the second phase of the UK's fight against the virus will be different, with Britons asked to "adjust to a new normal". He adds "We need to be under no illusions, the next stage won't be easy."
MOD's chief scientific adviser says it 'does trouble me' that motor vehicle traffic is up.
Asked about the UK's reported coronavirus death toll passing that of Italy, Dominic Raab says reliable international comparisons can't be made at this stage. He says we won't get a verdict on how well countries have handled COVID-19 until the pandemic is over.
Dominic Raab has said he thinks the coronavirus outbreak has taught the country to appreciate its key workers.
Fewer than 300 people entering UK were quarantined in three months before lockdown. Nearly 18.1 million people arrived in the UK from all destinations between 1 January and 23 March.
"Small defined groups" may be permitted to meet up - potentially only outdoors - under options being considered.
To read a brief summary of last night's points and important measures click here.
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