Sunday shows round-up: Hancock refuses to rule out local Covid restrictions

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was urged to justify the government’s roadmap for easing Covid restrictions during his TV round this morning. From tomorrow in England and Wales, indoor hospitality and entertainment businesses will be able to reopen their doors, and rules on meeting other people both inside and out will also be relaxed significantly. Hancock insisted it was right for Britain to go ahead with the next step in its easing of restrictions, but told Andrew Marr the decision to unlock the economy fully would not be taken until 14 June:

AM: Are you sure… that it is wise to go ahead with the unlocking at the rate that we’re doing?

MH: Yes, I am confident that we can take the step tomorrow, but we should all be careful about how we take that step… You still shouldn’t spend a lot of time in close proximity… We will take that decision [on full unlocking]… on the 14^th June.