The Foreign Secretary has issued a stark warning against abandoning social distancing measures too early, telling the public: ‘The virus will grow again’.
Speaking during todays’s daily press briefing, Dominic Raab said that even the smallest changes to current coronavirus lockdown restrictions will be a ‘point of maximum risk’ for the UK. He stated that the some changes can be ‘confidently introduced’ quicker than others.
He continued: ‘The point at which we make even the smallest of changes to the current guidance will be a point of maximum risk.
‘If people abandon the social distancing, if we forget the sacrifices we made to get us to this point, the virus will grow again at an exponential rate.
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‘That would lead to a second peak which could threaten the NHS, it would trigger another lockdown, which would prolong the economic pain. We are determined to keep it temporary, to seep it as short as possible.’
Raab confirmed that Boris Johnson will be unveiling his plan for exiting lockdown this weekend. He told how the Prime Minister has been directing ministers and teams of officials to ‘carefully develop a road map for the next phase’.
He went on: ‘It contains appropriate measures to be taken at appropriate milestones, subject to very clear conditions and there will be detailed guidance to help inform, advise and reassure the public, businesses and other organisations.’
Lockdown was first implemented on March 23, and extended for ‘at-least’ another three weeks on April 16. The government must review the restrictions in place every three weeks by law.
Reports citing government sources have claimed that Brits could be allowed picnics and ‘unlimited exercise’ starting as early as Monday next week. Some businesses are also reportedly being encouraged to reopen, while bosses are preparing to make work environments safe for employees.
The UK currently has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe after overtaking Italy this week. Raab stated today that 30,615 have died after testing positive for Covid-19.
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