No sign of restrictions being lifted as heath secretary pleads: 'Stay at home this Easter'

He said the stay at home instruction was starting to have an effect but urged everyone to keep following the rules.

It comes as Lancashire Roads Police reported a "noticeable increase" in traffic on the roads on Good Friday - but officers thanked those who stayed at home as the roads remained quieter than last Easter.

Responding to reports in the Telegraph that the Government was considering keeping social distancing measures in place “indefinitely”, Mr Hancock said it was still too early to lift the restrictions.

“The current thinking, which is important for every single person, is you should stay at home because that protects the NHS and saves lives,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“Of course we keep all these things under review and the scientific committee that advises us is meeting and looking at the evidence this week.

“This weekend it is hot outside but everybody needs to stay at home.

“We are just starting to see the curve flatten.

“We are just starting to see the number of new arrivals at hospital with coronavirus starting to flatten.

“It is too early to lift the measures and people need to stay at home.”