The government held an emergency coronavirus meeting today - here's what was discussed

By Finlay Greig
Published 9th Mar 2020, 10:56 BST
Updated 9th Mar 2020, 14:59 BST
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting a second COBRA meeting in response to the coronavirus outbreak (Getty Images)Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting a second COBRA meeting in response to the coronavirus outbreak (Getty Images)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting a second COBRA meeting in response to the coronavirus outbreak (Getty Images)

Number 10 revealed that the UK would remain in the containment phase of its response to the coronavirus after chairing a COBRA meeting earlier today (March 9).

As a result measures to reduce social interaction will not yet be introduced, according to ministers.

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Number 10 have urged caution, however, and have accepted that the virus will likely “spread in a significant way”.

The news came as confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose to 319.

What have Number 10 said?

A spokesperson for Number 10 said that Boris Johnson was being “guided by the best scientific advice”, but there wasn’t yet a need to cancel mass gatherings, such as sports events.

Ahead of the meeting it was expected that Johnson would tell those in attendance: "The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the UK and around the world.

"We are well prepared and will continue to make decisions to protect the public based on the latest scientific advice.

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"Tackling coronavirus will require a national and international effort. I am confident the British people are ready to play their part in that.

"The most valuable thing people can do is wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds."

Moving from contain to delay phase

Officials are continuing work to accelerate preparations for the delay phase of the Government's plan, including work on the optimum time to introduce further measures, based on scientific evidence.

A formal move to the delay phase would need to be agreed by the chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who will both be attendance later today.

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However, Prof Whitty told MPs last week that the UK had mainly moved to the delay stage of tackling the virus.

Mr Johnson was updated on the latest scientific advice and modelling over the weekend.

What is COBRA and when are meetings called?

The name stands for “Cabinet Office Briefing Room A” and refers to the emergency council which is formed when a crisis arises which will call for various different departments to work in tandem.

They meet in the Cabinet Office's briefing rooms (usually room A), hence the name.

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