Britain could be subject to lockdown measures for 'six months'
The UK may have to endure lockdowns of varying severity for the next six months as the country’s social fabric and economy reels under the pressure of the coronavirus crisis.
This was the stark message delivered today by England’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, at the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus pandemic.
Harries is standing in for her boss, Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, who has contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
After experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19 last night, in line with the guidance, I will be self-isolating at home for the next seven days.
— Professor Chris Whitty (@CMO_England) March 27, 2020
I will be continuing to advise the Government on the medical response to Coronavirus, supported by my deputies.
Harries said the lockdown measures could be in place “for months” and would only be lifted “gradually” so as to prevent a second peak in coronavirus cases.
According to Harries the nationwide restrictions are subject to “review” every three weeks.
Whilst she was careful to emphasize that the months-long lockdown would not necessarily be as harsh as the existing measures, nonetheless Harries was insistent that restrictions would only be lifted “gradually” based on the “science” and the “data”.
Another stark message was delivered by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, who warned of additional lockdown measures should Britons fail to fully comply with existing ones.
Addressing the same Downing Street briefing, Jenrick announced the establishment of nation-wide “strategic co-ordination centers”, comprised of senior members of the emergency services, local authorities and the National Health Service, and led by so-called “gold commanders”.
Today’s stark warnings come in the wake of multiple reports that Britain’s fragile social fabric is creaking under the lockdown measures.
Any additional measures risk inflaming social and community tensions, and thus create the conditions for a stronger military role in the management of the crisis as per the mission statement of Operation Rescript.
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