Fears Social Distancing Could Last Up To A Year

Britain could be placed on coronavirus lockdown for up to a year, experts warned last night.

- Giles Sheldrick

Scientists suggested social distancing was the only way of stopping the deadly disease – but needs to be in place for at least six months, and possibly 12.

It came as the NHS prepares to tell 1.4 million vulnerable people to self-isolate or face grave consequences.

The number includes those with underlying health conditions, weakened immune systems, or those usually receiving the annual winter flu jab.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, which advises the Government, yesterday said social distancing was the key to fighting Covid-19.

Its latest report said: “The addition of both general social distancing and school closures to case isolation, household isolation and social distancing of vulnerable groups would be likely to control the epidemic when kept in place for a long period.

Warned

“A policy of alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures could plausibly be effective at keeping the number of critical care cases within capacity.

“These would need to be in place for at least most of a year. Under such a policy, at least half of the year would be spent under the stricter social distancing measures.”

The committee also warned of the likely impact the virus would have on the NHS.

It said: “A combination of case isolation, household isolation and social distancing of vulnerable groups is very unlikely to prevent critical care facilities being overwhelmed.”