Matt Hancock announces 'right to say goodbye' to loved ones dying from Covid-19

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced new procedures so that “wherever possible” people will be given the “chance to say goodbye” to loved ones dying with coronavirus.

The Health Secretary told a press conference at Downing Street that “wanting to be with someone you love at the end of their life is one of the deepest human instincts”.

He revealed that he wept at reports of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, a 13-year-old who died from coronavirus, dying without a parent at his bedside.

“I’m pleased to say that working with Public Health England, the care sector and many others, we are introducing new procedures so we can limit the risk of infection while wherever possible giving people’s closest loved ones the chance to say goodbye", he said.

Mr Hancock also set out a package of measures aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus in care homes.

The plans included increased testing and improved access to protective equipment as well as measures designed to help social care workers enjoy similar benefits to NHS staff.

He also gave a further hint that lockdown measures would be extended tomorrow, saying: “We cannot let up in our efforts, we cannot let go of the hard work that’s been done so far.

“This shared sacrifice – and I know it’s a sacrifice – is starting to work but we will not lift these measures until it is safe to do so.”

The Health Secretary denied suggestions that the lives of younger people had been prioritised at the expense of those in care homes and that people had died unnecessarily.

“No, neither of those things is the case', he said.

He said one of the first things discovered about Covid-19 was that the elderly were badly affected by the disease.

“Therefore it was clear that, especially for care settings supporting older people – and it’s also true for care settings that support people of working age – we were going to have to have a particular focus,” he said.

Deputy chief scientific adviser Dame Angela McLean said there was a “huge question” about how to protect care homes which do not yet have cases.

Mr Hancock also addressed concerns that victims of domestic abuse could be unable to escape their abusers during the lockdown.

He said if there is a surge in cases of domestic abuse revealed after the coronavirus crisis eases, the Government would ensure it gives the “right level of support” to all those who come forward.