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IN BRIEF

What time is the coronavirus press briefing today, Saturday May 23 and who is speaking?

THE UK Government will address the country today (May 23) as part of the daily coronavirus briefings slightly before 4pm, to be led by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

The daily press conferences aim to inform the public on any crucial decisions being taken by the Government to combat Covid-19.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will be holding today's coronavirus daily briefing at Downing Street
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will be holding today's coronavirus daily briefing at Downing StreetCredit: crown copyright

What time is today's coronavirus press briefing?

The briefing will be held from Downing Street slightly earlier today and is scheduled to kick off at 3.45pm.

Who is speaking?

A Government minister will address the country via a live broadcast.

It has been reported that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will be speaking today.

How can I watch it?

The press conference briefings are broadcast live by the BBC at 5pm weekdays and 4pm weekends.

You can also watch the live broadcast on the Government's official YouTube page.

We can keep you up to date on what is being said at the press conference by following our coronavirus live blog, for live updates on the briefing.

What was said during yesterday's press briefing?

Home Secretary Priti Patel addressed the nation at the coronavirus press conference.

She was joined by Paul Lincoln, head of the UK's Border Force, and Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the UK government.

Priti Patel started the address by revealing the Government is enforcing a new quarantine measure to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.

This new measure means all visitors entering the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days starting from June 8.

Patel announced spot checks will take place, with arrivals being asked to provide addresses and contact numbers to enable these to take place.

A fixed penalty of £1,000 will be put in place for any rule-breakers.

Head of UK border force Paul Lincoln added that medical professionals will be amongst those not required to self-isolate for 14 days and that in extreme circumstances entry to the UK maybe refused to certain people who don't comply with quarantine measures.

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Priti Patel then continued to say: “The answer as to why we're bringing in these measures now is simple: It is to protect that hard-won progress and prevent a devastating resurgence in a second wave of the virus.”

The Home Secretary said the Government will work hard to support the international travel and tourism industry recover from the effects of this pandemic and reopen the industry in a responsible way.

Sir Patrick then suggested that the UK had only hit an "artificial peak" and reiterated that social distancing must still be maintained.

Grant Shapps also confirmed ministers are looking at "travel bridges" between countries with low Covid infections.

The Transport Secretary said that the Government was looking at allowing people to fly between countries where the spread of the virus is low.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock previously told This Morning that summer holidays would likely be "cancelled", adding: "I think it’s unlikely that big lavish international holidays are going to be possible for this summer."

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