Boris Johnson warns against premature end to the coronavirus lockdown

Boris Johnson believes Britain is "turning the tide" against the coronavirus pandemic but has called for patience as the government prepares to enter the second phase of its handling of the crisis.

Speaking outside Downing Street for the first time since recovering from the virus, the prime minister stressed Britain is still facing a moment of "maximum risk" and that, despite signs of progress, the government would not prematurely end the lockdown.

While stressing his government could not yet spell out how changes to the lockdown policy would be implemented, Johnson said to expect details of how restrictions could be eased in the coming days.

"I will not throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and risk a second major outbreak," said Johnson.

"I ask you to contain your impatience, because I believe we're coming to the end of the first phase of this conflict and in spite of all the suffering we have so nearly succeeded.

"We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow, or when, changes to the lockdown restrictions will be made. Clearly the government will be saying much more about this in the coming days and decisions will be taken with the maximum possible transparency."

Resumption planning under way

The government is expected to review its lockdown measures on May 7 and the easing of restrictions is contingent on a number of tests, including a sustained and consistent fall in death rates.

As of Monday morning, more than 20,000 people are known to have died in hospital from the coronavirus from almost 155,000 confirmed positive cases of Covid-19.

It has been widely reported that sport will be among the first activities to return under strict restrictions and a cross-sport working group has been liaising with the government on resumption plans.

The BHA's chief medical adviser Dr Jerry Hill is expected to take part in a series of meetings with the team of the government's chief medical officer in the coming weeks.

Owing largely to the release of further details last week about the resumption of British racing behind closed doors, the odds on the return of racing next month have shortened with bookmakers. On Monday morning, a return of racing in Britain on or before June 1 was trading at 1-3 on the Betfair Exchange.

However, trainer Mark Johnston, who along with Ralph Beckett called for the immediate removal of BHA chief executive Nick Rust in emails sent to the regulator's chair Annamarie Phelps, believes racing should be more proactive in its dealings with the government.

Mark Johnston: discussed the resumption of racing on the Today programme on MondayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"The BHA should tell the government when it is our intention to resume based on some trigger like the lifting of lockdown," Johnston said in an interview with the BBC's Today programme on Monday.

"This is not to suggest racing is a special case or that it can ignore the government position. Frankly the government has much more to do than write our plans for us. I believe our industry must look after itself, make a robust resumption plan and state our intentions.

"That gives the government an opportunity in the most extreme case to veto it, which we hope they wouldn't do, but to question any areas of the plan that concern them.

"I think the public will support a resumption. The BHA has done a huge amount of work since the suspension of racing in Britain for a resumption behind closed doors while assessing the risks. I think it's very close to a point when it can state our intention to return."

There has been no racing in Britain since March 17.

Read more:

Key racing ally rejects call from Beckett and Johnston for Rust to resign

BHA medical chief set for government talks on resuming racing

Keep up to date on the must-have news, tips, photos and more by following the Racing Post across all social channels