NOT OVER YET
BRITS were tonight warned that the coronavirus lockdown won't be lifted if they flout rules.
Grant Shapps said the answer of when the measures will be altered is "in your own hands".
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The Transport Secretary, speaking at tonight's government press conference, praised the nation for adhering to social distancing rules.
But he said the peak "isn't over" and urged people to continue to stay at home.
He said: "The country has done incredibly well in adhering to social distancing and there is a danger as we go into yet another warm sunny weekend that people think that perhaps these graphs are showing that the peak is over.
"It isn't over, we're riding perhaps, we hope, a downward trend but it is by no means, no means established yet.
My answer in some ways is that some of this lies in your own hands.
Grant Shapps
"When people ask me when will the measures, the social distancing, the stay at home measures, be altered, my answer in some ways is that some of this lies in your own hands."
It came as Brits appeared to be cracking under the strain of the lockdown, with traffic on the roads creeping up by 10 per cent.
Drivers were seen queuing at a Costa Coffee in Mansfield, hundreds of people flocked to the seafront in Hove, East Sussex, shoppers gathered at a B&M in Chelmsford, Essex, and people were seen drinking on Hampstead Heath in London.
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Between February 16 and March 29, visits to retail and recreation locations, such as restaurants, shopping centres and galleries dropped by 85 per cent.
But by the end of last week, this was up by 10 percentage points to 75 per cent below their normal level, new stats show.
And visits to parks and beaches are up by 19 percentage points to 33 per cent below usual figures.
MP Brandon Lewis told of his fears people will be struggling to stick to the lockdown after so many weeks cooped up inside.
He said: "I think there is always a risk when you are doing something like this, particularly those living alone, will be finding it really difficult.
"We've got to look at the success we've had in flattening that curve. We've lost too many lives already."
Also during today's briefing, Mr Shapps said drones are set to deliver crucial Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies in a new Government trial.
He announced the scheme would begin testing next week with crucial items being delivered to the Isle of Wight.
The minister cabinet claimed the scheme was originally designed for the years ahead.
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The scheme was one of several new measures announced which aim to see the transport industry boost its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Shapps added: "The continued operation of both passenger and freight transport is critically important to our resilience as a country."
He also confirmed that a total of 19,506 patients had died in hospital from the virus.
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Britain's total coronavirus cases crept up to 143,464 today with the biggest increase in five days, as the death toll nears 20,000.
It has previously been warned that lockdown measures could extend into 2021 - with some restrictions in place until a vaccine is developed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly uneasy about lifting the lockdown too early as he fears a second wave.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he is 'comfortable' with some businesses reopening if they have measures to maintain coronavirus social distancing rules