As of May 14, the UK has reported 233,151 confirmed Covid-19 infections and 33,614 deaths – the highest death toll in Europe. In total, 1,593,902 people have been tested for the disease. On March 16, prime minister Boris Johnson led the first daily coronavirus press conference, saying that the government now advised all UK residents to avoid non-essential social contact and travel where possible. On Friday March 20 this was extended to include a shutdown of all bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants in the UK. From the same day all schools in England, Scotland and Wales were shut until further notice. Only vulnerable children, or those who are the sons and daughters of employees in the NHS or other key industries, will be permitted to remain at school. Transport for London is currently running a reduced tube, bus and rail service meant only for key workers and has seen an 80 per cent reduction in passenger numbers since February 27.
On March 23 – after a weekend where many seemed to flout the social distancing recommendations – the prime minister announced a ratcheting-up of the UK's coronavirus policies. Now, people are only allowed to leave their homes for essential work, for food or medical supplies, to care for a vulnerable person or to exercise. Police will have the ability to fine those who do not comply with the new rules, the prime minister said in his address to the nation. The government also asked UK mobile networks to send a message to everyone in the UK instructing them that they must stay at home.
People who currently live alone are recommended to self-isolate for seven days if they develop a fever or persistent dry cough – the two most common symptoms of coronavirus. For families and other people who live together, the advice is that the entire household should self-isolate if any member develops either of those symptoms. This strategy is part of the government's 'delay phase' plan to flatten the peak of the virus and reduce the burden on the NHS.
A key part of this plan is shielding those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19: people older than 70, or those who have underlying health conditions. The NHS has identified the 1.5 million people most vulnerable and sent them letters instructing them to self-isolate for 12 weeks. These people are being asked not to leave their houses under any circumstances, to minimise all face-to-face contact and for all deliveries of food and medication to be left at their doorsteps.
Although the prime minister said that this shielding may last as long as 12 weeks in order to ensure that the peak of the outbreak has passed, modelling from Imperial College London suggests that these measures may have to be in place for as long as 18 months. On May 10 prime minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK lockdown would be in place until at least June when some shops and schools might be allowed to re-open.
Despite these measures, some have been critical that the government's stance doesn't go far enough. Italy and Spain both had in place even more restrictive lockdowns, while South Korea has rolled-out extremely comprehensive testing for many of its population. The government is also preparing to ramp up antibody tests which should eventually be able to detect who has been previously exposed to the virus, although there are serious doubts over the accuracy of the currently available tests.
On March 23 – after a weekend where many seemed to flout the social distancing recommendations – the prime minister announced a ratcheting-up of the UK's coronavirus policies. Now, people are only allowed to leave their homes for essential work, for food or medical supplies, to care for a vulnerable person or to exercise. Police will have the ability to fine those who do not comply with the new rules, the prime minister said in his address to the nation. The government also asked UK mobile networks to send a message to everyone in the UK instructing them that they must stay at home.
People who currently live alone are recommended to self-isolate for seven days if they develop a fever or persistent dry cough – the two most common symptoms of coronavirus. For families and other people who live together, the advice is that the entire household should self-isolate if any member develops either of those symptoms. This strategy is part of the government's 'delay phase' plan to flatten the peak of the virus and reduce the burden on the NHS.
A key part of this plan is shielding those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19: people older than 70, or those who have underlying health conditions. The NHS has identified the 1.5 million people most vulnerable and sent them letters instructing them to self-isolate for 12 weeks. These people are being asked not to leave their houses under any circumstances, to minimise all face-to-face contact and for all deliveries of food and medication to be left at their doorsteps.
Although the prime minister said that this shielding may last as long as 12 weeks in order to ensure that the peak of the outbreak has passed, modelling from Imperial College London suggests that these measures may have to be in place for as long as 18 months. On May 10 prime minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK lockdown would be in place until at least June when some shops and schools might be allowed to re-open.
Despite these measures, some have been critical that the government's stance doesn't go far enough. Italy and Spain both had in place even more restrictive lockdowns, while South Korea has rolled-out extremely comprehensive testing for many of its population. The government is also preparing to ramp up antibody tests which should eventually be able to detect who has been previously exposed to the virus, although there are serious doubts over the accuracy of the currently available tests.
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