How long will coronavirus lockdown last? Michael Gove says it depends on how the public behave

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster warned on Sunday that ministers would not hesitate to enforce tougher rules, but said the evidence is people are obeying them.

After the death toll in the UK passed 1,000, Mr Gove declined to be drawn on how long the tough measures restricting people's lives would be in place for, and what stricter rules could look like

"There are different projections as to how long the lockdown might last," he told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, when asked about one key expert's prediction of June.

"But it's not the case that the length of the lockdown is something that is absolutely fixed.

"It depends on all of our behaviour. If we follow the guidelines, we can deal more effectively with the spread of the disease."

He insisted "it is important" that "we don't pre-empt discussion of what other steps may be required" when pressed on what further measures could be introduced.

But the positive message he delivered was that the public appear to be heeding the advice.

"At the moment, all the evidence is that people are observing the rules, if you look at the number of people on public transport that has fallen, if you look at footfall in supermarkets and other stores, that has fallen as well," he said.

"We keep things under review in order to ensure that if there are further steps they can be implemented."

This comes as the government is under increasing pressure to have all NHS frontline workers tested for coronavirus, however Gove refused to give a date when that would be achieved.

Mr Gove added that The UK has hit its initially 10,000-a-day testing target, but he refused to give a timeline for when all NHS and social care workers will be tested, despite increasing demands.