The government has a lockdown dilemma – difficult trade-offs have to be considered

Experts say it’s too early to think about lifting restrictions, but even so the government will soon have to think about the economy, writes John Rentoul

Dominic Raab will announce more about the lockdown next week (AFP/Getty)

We all want to know how long this strange state of social distancing is going to last, which is why politicians – the ones who are left in charge while the prime minister is in hospital – are under pressure to provide answers.

So far, Dominic Raab, the acting prime minister, has come up with a timetable for making the decision about the coronavirus timetable. Following the Cobra meeting today, there will be a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) tomorrow, and a decision about extending the lockdown next week.

That is roughly what Boris Johnson said when he announced the measures on 23 March: that they would be reviewed after three weeks, which takes us to Easter Monday. But everyone knows that the lockdown is going to be extended for some time to come, so shouldn’t Raab just say so now?