THE "stay alert" coronavirus message is "difficult" to understand, a UK Government minister has admitted.

Boris Johnson dropped "stay at home" guidance for the much-mocked "stay alert" replacement earlier this month as he becan easing England's lockdown.

Critics suggested that message was meaningingless in the face of the virus, and the devolved nations have refused to adopt it over fears it will comprimise public health.

Meanwhile, the adoption of the green and yellow logo triggered a raft of satirical takes on social media.

Since the May 10 change, additional advice has since started to appear from Westminster, which urges: "Keep our distance, wash our hands, think of others and play our part. All together."

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has now conceded that the message is "difficult" to get across.

He told Sky News that is because it involves "more nuanced messages".

Buckland said the UK Government is now trying to "explain underneath that general direction what that means".

He stated: "The different elements to staying alert - which include washing hands, keeping our distance - builds up to that general approach which is that we all must be very much aware not only of each other but what we can do in order to minimise the inadvertent transmission of this terrible disease."

Buckland told the broadcaster: "I think 'stay at home' had the clarity and simplicity of a direct instruction.

"This was always going to be a more difficult moment when we had to give more nuanced messages and to encourage everybody to take those small steps out of the full lockdown.

"It is going to be a tough ask. It is a very difficult time for everybody and the government doesn't pretend anything otherwise.

"We have to keep developing those messages and that's why you're hearing that kind of detail."