Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has warned against easing the lockdown to prevent a second coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Boris Johnson, speaking outside 10 Downing Street in London, said there were real signs that the country was close to winning the first phase of the battle against the coronavirus, which has killed more than 20,000 people in the UK.
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He said: “We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made, though clearly the government will be saying much more about this in the coming days,
“If we can show the same spirit of unity and determination as we’ve all shown in the past six weeks then I have absolutely no doubt that we will beat it,
“We must also recognise the risk of a second spike, the risk of losing control of that virus and letting the reproduction rate go back over one because that would mean not only a new wave of death and disease but also an economic disaster,
“I ask you to contain your impatience because I believe we are coming now to the end of the first phase of this conflict and in spite of all the suffering we have so nearly succeeded.”
Boris arrived in Downing Street to resume full-time duties after recovering from coronavirus.
Boris Johnson also thanked First Secretary of State and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for deputizing for him during his illness. He said: “I am sorry I have been away from my desk for much longer than I would have liked.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been standing in for him during his absence, said he was “raring to go”.
The PM spent a week in hospital, including three nights in intensive care, after being admitted on 5 April.
The British government has faced major criticism for how it handled the virus, particularly whether the government took it seriously enough in the early stages of transmission in the UK.