Coronavirus: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland stick with ‘stay home’ message

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show: “We would like the whole of the United Kingdom to move as one, that’s our strong preference.”

But devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have power to make their own decisions on a number of matters, including health.

So what has the reaction been in each of the three countries ahead of Mr Johnson’s speech on Sunday evening?

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: SNP MP Angus MacNeil calls for police to patrol Scottish border if lockdown is eased down south

– Scotland

In a pointed tweet on Sunday morning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the first she saw of the Prime Minister’s new slogan was in the Sunday papers.

Rejecting its use in Scotland for the moment, she tweeted: “The Sunday papers is the first I’ve seen of the PM’s new slogan.

“It is of course for him to decide what’s most appropriate for England, but given the critical point we are at in tackling the virus, #StayHomeSaveLives remains my clear message to Scotland at this stage.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, who said the Scottish Government was not consulted on the slogan change, said she had “no idea” what “stay alert” means.

Speaking on the BBC's Politics Scotland on Sunday, Freeman said the Scottish Government was not consulted on the change.

She said: "That is not a change that we would agree with. I think the First Minister was really clear last week that the 'stay at home' message was the right message and if I'm perfectly frank, I have no idea what 'stay alert' actually means."

"We're asking the public to do a very great deal here and the least we can do is be consistent and clear in the message that we're sending and 'stay at home' is the right message."

READ MORE:  Jeane Freeman: I have no idea what UK's new lockdown message means

– Wales

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford described the Welsh Government’s relationship with the UK Government as one of “fits and starts”.

He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “When there is engagement, it is good, and it is helpful, and I wish there could be more of it.”

He stressed the stay-home slogan has not “gone away” in Wales, and was backed by the country’s health minister Vaughan Gething who said there had been no discussion or agreement about the Government’s new slogan with the other three nations of the UK.

Mr Gething said the Welsh Government message had not changed, with people urged to stay home and to follow social distancing rules if they do go outside.

– Northern Ireland

First Minister Arlene Foster said the region is sticking with the “stay home, save lives” message.

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland radio on Sunday, she said: “On the whole, the message is to stay at home. We will say we are not deviating from the message at this time.”

She earlier said any changes made to the region’s lockdown measures following Mr Johnson’s announcement will be nuanced.

Her Stormont colleague Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted an image of the current messaging on Sunday morning, with the “stay at home” slogan featured.

Downing Street has sought to explain the meaning of the new “stay alert” and “control the virus” messages being introduced by Boris Johnson.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Downing Street offers explanation over new 'stay alert' lockdown advice

A No 10 spokesman said the public can stay alert by “staying at home as much as possible”, “limiting contact with other people” and keeping two metres apart where possible.

“We can control the virus by keeping the rate of infection (R) and the number of infections down,” the spokesman said.

“This is how we can continue to save lives and livelihoods as we start to recover from coronavirus.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping the rate of infection (R) down by staying alert and following the rules.”