Lockdown until JUNE? Senior health chief warns entire population of Britain could need to stay home for nearly three months to avoid worst effects of coronavirus
- Britain’s coronavirus death toll hit 1,019 yesterday in worst day country faced yet
- Some senior government figures suggested that coronavirus could peak in April
- But Professor Neil Ferguson said Britons will need to stay indoors for 3 months
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Britain should stay in total lockdown until June to properly prevent the full extent of the deadly coronavirus, a senior health chief warned.
Britain’s coronavirus death toll rocketed by 260 to 1,019 yesterday in the worst day the country faced yet. A total of 17,089 people tested positive for the bug.
The Prime Minister will today warn Britons that: ‘Things will get worse before they get better’.
Britain should stay in total lockdown until June to properly prevent the full extent of the deadly coronavirus, a senior health adviser warned. Pictured: People walk through Battersea Park for their permitted one outdoor exercise per day
Professor Neil Ferguson said Britons will need to stay indoors for a full three months
Some senior government figures have suggested that coronavirus could peak in April with approximately 5,700 deaths.
But Professor Neil Ferguson said Britons will need to stay indoors for a full three months.
The leading epidemiology adviser to the government told The Sunday Times: ‘We’re going to have to keep these measures [the full lockdown] in place, in my view, for a significant period of time – probably until the end of May, maybe even early June. May is optimistic.’
His stark warning comes as Boris Johnson writes to every household in the UK to urge the public to obey the lockdown and stay home during the ‘national emergency’.
The Prime Minister, who is self-isolating after testing positive for the bug, will stress the need to stay indoors to support the NHS by slowing the spread.
Britain’s coronavirus death toll rocketed by 260 to 1,019 yesterday in the worst day the country faced yet. A total of 17,089 people tested positive for the bug. Pictured: People in Hyde Park London yesterday
At an anticipated cost of £5.8 million, the letters will land on 30 million doorsteps along with a leaflet spelling out the Government’s advice following much public confusion.
The letters and leaflets are the latest in a public information campaign from No 10 to convince people to stay at home, wash their hands and shield the most vulnerable from the disease.
‘We know things will get worse before they get better,’ the PM’s letter will read.
Boris Johnson is writing to every household in the UK to urge the public to obey the lockdown and stay home during the coronavirus ‘national emergency’
The letters and leaflets are the latest in a public information campaign from No 10 to convince people to stay at home, wash their hands and shield the most vulnerable from the disease
A police officer talks to a cyclist at Regents Park in London, during a lockdown over the spread of coronavirus
‘But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal.
‘It has been truly inspirational to see our doctors, nurses and other carers rise magnificently to the needs of the hour.
‘Thousands of retired doctors and nurses are returning to the NHS – and hundreds of thousands of citizens are volunteering to help the most vulnerable.
A police van drives past people taking their daily exercise allowance in Hyde Park in London on today, as life in Britain continues during the nationwide lockdown
‘That is why, at this moment of national emergency, I urge you, please, to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.’
Amid allegations of confusing messages on the lockdown, the leaflet will outline the Government’s rules on leaving the house and advice on shielding vulnerable people.
A clear explanation of the symptoms will also be included as well guidance on hand washing.