COVID-19: Boris Johnson to hold emergency Cobra meeting


The Prime Minister will chair an emergency Cobra meeting later to decide whether to bring in measures to delay the spread of coronavirus in the UK.

The meeting is expected to consider whether "social distancing" measures should now be introduced .


These could include banning of big events, closing schools and encouraging home working.

It comes after a man in his 60s became the UK's third death linked to the Covid-19 virus.

Ministers will also meet with sports bodies and UK supermarkets to discuss their response to the outbreak.

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On Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 278, from 209 on Saturday - the biggest rise so far.

The UK is currently in the first phase - "containment" - of the government's four-part plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus.


The meeting is expected to consider whether the UK should officially move into the "delay" phase, which could mean the introduction of "social distancing".

Such a step would require agreement from chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who are due to be at the meeting.


The government has previously said such action could include banning of sporting and other events where large numbers of people gather, and encouraging people to work from home rather than use crowded trains and buses.

Meanwhile sports governing bodies will meet with ministers to discuss the possibility of staging events behind closed doors.

Environment Secretary George Eustice will also discuss contingency plans with supermarket chief executives, including proposals on how to support vulnerable groups who may have to self-isolate. BBC

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