Claim: The lockdown began on 16 March 2020, when Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that all unnecessary social contact should cease.
Fact-check: When did lockdown begin in the UK? - Full Fact
Verdict: mr hancock did say this, but it was not until 23 march 2020 that boris johnson told the country that people 'must' stay at home and certain businesses must close. government ministers have previously described this second date as the start of lockdown. there is no official government definition of 'lockdown'.
Organisation: Full Fact
Author: Pippa Allen-Kinross
Date published: 2020-07-22T00:00:00