Boris Johnson’s daily coronavirus press conferences will be ‘virtual’ with journalists banned

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The PM’s communications bosses are taking the drastic move in a bid to limit the risk of contagion sweeping No10.

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The PM's daily coronavirus press conferences are to become ‘virtual’ within days

The PM’s daily coronavirus press conferences are to become ‘virtual’ within days

Several senior journalists have already gone down with the virus, as well as a number of prominent government figures and advisers.

Trials have been carried out on a new system that would allow TV and newspaper journalists to dial in to the room and put questions to the PM at a podium in front of a live TV feed.

It also emerged some No10 staff have also been moved onto an emergency shift pattern.

No10 aides are taking the measures over fears the centre of government could soon be paralysed by an “inevitable” wave of internal contagion.

Downing Street teams who must still come into the building and can’t work from home have been split into two or three, and are rota’d to work at different times of the day.


Most Cabinet ministers will take part in its weekly meeting today and from now onwards via remote dial in.

One No10 insider said: “The building is a total health hazard right now.

“It’s inevitable that people are going to start falling ill.”

It also emerged that Dominic Raab will take charge of Britain if Boris Johnson himself is struck down with coronavirus.

Downing Street confirmed that the PM will hand over control of the country to his Foreign Secretary if he is infected.

It is also thought to be only a matter of time before Boris catches the virus himself, as he has to hold so many crisis meetings.

 

 

Mr Raab is first in line to become what the US government terms the ‘designated survivor’ as he also holds the title of First Minister, Mr Johnson’s official deputy.

But if he too catches Covid19 at the same time, the PM has the power to then delegate responsibility to any of his Cabinet ministers.

The PM’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is well, but the Foreign Secretary is the First Secretary of State”.

Dominic Raab will take charge of Britain if the PM is struck down with coronavirus

Dominic Raab will take charge of Britain if the PM is struck down with coronavirus

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