Boris Johnson to hold Downing Street COVID press conference today

Boris Johnson will speak later. (Getty)
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Boris Johnson is set to hold a Downing Street press conference later today, as coronavirus cases still soar and lockdown continues without an end date.

The prime minister will speak at 5pm but the specifics of what he will say have not been announced.

His press conference comes on the same day the environment secretary George Eustice said the government was considering “all sorts” of policies to help people who need to self-isolate.

Reports suggest the government could pay £500 to keep people at home when they test positive for COVID-19.

Eustice told BBC Breakfast: “We always had the £500 support payment for those that are on certain benefits.

“We have always kept this under review and we know that it is sometimes quite challenging to ask people to isolate for that length of time.

“At the moment we are in a full lockdown anyway so while people can leave to work, in many cases people will be staying home anyway.

“We constantly keep this under review. We have got to consider all sorts of policies.”

He also told Sky News that lockdown will end once “further progress” in made on vaccinating people.

Read more

What you can and can't do under current lockdown rules

“Just shy of five million people have been vaccinated, as of yesterday,” he said.

Recent press conferences have tried to dissuade people from breaking lockdown rules as the NHS remains under pressure with its intake of coronavirus patients.

At Thursday’s press conference, home secretary Priti Patel announced fines of £800 for people who attend house parties of more than 15 people.

It could rise up to £6,400 for repeat offenders.

“The science is clear: such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant threat to public health,” Patel said.

“Not only to those in attendance but to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down.”

Watch: What you can and can’t do in lockdown