Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at Monday's press conference that the country will have to face stricter measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The United Kingdom is approaching the "upward curve" of the coronavirus epidemic, according to statements made by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the press conference he held this evening: "Without drastic action, the number of cases could double every five or six days." For this reason, the government has asked the public to avoid unnecessary gatherings.
"This is the moment to avoid all contact and travel that is not strictly necessary," Johnson said.
Some of the key measures are the same as those many other countries have long since implemented: encouraging smart working, agile working, where possible; avoiding pubs, theatres, bars and other places where crowds can form; turning to the National Health Service, the British health service, only in cases of genuine urgency. Anyone living with someone who has flu-like symptoms, such as a cough or fever, should stay at home for at least a couple of weeks.
Following the curve of the virus's spread, the city of London is a couple of weeks further along than other parts of the United Kingdom, which means Covid-19 is spreading more rapidly there. For this reason, "those living in the capital need to be more cautious," the Prime Minister said.
Professor Chris Whitty, the UK's chief medical adviser, stated that the country "wants solely to reduce coronavirus deaths" and that up to now "the chances of dying are very low." However, the indirect deaths that this epidemic could cause must also be considered, with hospitals overwhelmed by the burden of patients. Whitty said the government is working to reduce this risk and "all the negative impacts" on people's health.
Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, joined Johnson in acknowledging that "the measures implemented will not be easy, but they will only work if everyone plays their part." He then added that schools will be closed only "at the right moment" in the epidemic.
In recent days, the government has been criticised for implementing less stringent measures than other European countries, but Vallance said that the country had in fact adopted stricter measures than others when they were at the same stage in terms of infections.
