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LOCKDOWN measures will be needed until the end of the year to control coronavirus - until a drug or a vaccine is found, Chris Whitty admitted today.

Ministers will be looking at different scenarios for lifting the strict measures in the coming weeks, but some rules will still be needed for a long time to come.

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 Prof Chris Whitty said social distancing measures will be expected until the end of the year
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Prof Chris Whitty said social distancing measures will be expected until the end of the yearCredit: Crown Copyright
 Britain could face strict measures in place for months to come
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Britain could face strict measures in place for months to comeCredit: �2020 Gustavo Valiente / i-Images

It confirms The Sun's story earlier this week that Brits should not expect to see a return to normal life in 2020.

The Chief Medical Officer said that some form of the measures will have to be in place for a long period of time to make sure the transmission rate doesn't grow, as the virus could begin spreading again.

In a stark warning to the public of what is to come, he said it is "wholly unrealistic" to think a return to normal life is possible anytime soon, Mr Whitty told the Downing Street press conference this evening.

And it comes comes as scientists have warned that a second wave of coronavirus could come this winter.

There will be a "series of choices" and ministers will decide a mix of measures to try and ease some rules.

But whatever options they must not see the transmission rate go above one - as the cases could rocket again.

The only "exit" from lockdown will be a vaccine or drugs to treat coronavirus, he said.

And the chances of that happening in the next calendar year is "incredibly small", even as the first human vaccines start tomorrow.

Professor Whitty told the nation: "In the long run, the exit from this is going to one be one of two things... One of which is a highly effective vaccine.

"And/or highly effective drugs so that people stop dying of this disease even if they catch it, or which can prevent this disease in vulnerable people.

"I think we should be realistic about that.

"We are going to have to rely on other social measures, which are incredibly disruptive.

"Its going to take a long time. We need to be aware of that."

It could mean that older people may not be able to spend Christmas with their loved ones if the crisis carries on, Dr Hillary warned earlier.

Dr Hilary said there was still a chance that Christmas could be “wonderful”, but that it was unlikely that the country would be back to normal.

Protecting the elderly would be likely to be the measure that is kept in place the longest.

Last month the Government's SAGE committee warned that some measures could be in place on and off for the best part of a year.

Strict measures include school closures and social distancing for everyone, but less restrictive measures include isolating cases and households.

It came after Michael Gove refused to rule out pubs being shut until Christmas at the weekend.

The Sun reported this week that instead of any clean end to lockdown, senior government figures braced the nation to expect a very long path out of it through the summer and deep into the autumn.

Downing Street has even banned the term ‘exit’ from its own lockdown planning.

No10 officials now refer to what happens after the current three week extension that ends on May 7 as “next phase”.

A “suck it and see” plan is now being drawn up based on scientists’ data crunching to see what restrictions to try easing first.

One senior figure told The Sun: “We will try a bit at a time, and then pause, so we can see what effect that has on the transmission rate. The pace will be very gradual".

Some shops could be opened, or Brits told to go back to work if they stay a safe distance apart.

The Sun reveled today that scientists have told the Government there is evidence that using masks can stop the spread of coronavirus among people who have it and don't have any symptoms.

The advice will be studied by ministers in the coming days, and a decision will then be made.

It could mean every Brit will have to wear a form of face covering outside for the forseeable future.

Earlier today Matt Hancock said that contact tracing could lead to a partial lifting of the lockdown, and it may be just "weeks" away.

He said today that ministers want to ramp up measures again to be able to track everyone who has got the virus.

The measures, known as mass contact tracing, were in place during the early stages of the virus spreading in the UK, but were abandoned after the numbers became too great.

It involved staff getting in touch with every person the infected Brit had come into contact with, so they could make sure they isolate and get medical help if needed.

However, other states including Germany have continued with policies of mass testing and mass tracing the public - and have had fewer deaths so far.

Mr Hancock said: "We are ramping up testing capacity and contact tracing.
"In a matter of weeks we will have it ready to make sure that we can use that as and when the incidents of transmission comes down...

"That way we can control this virus with fewer of the very extraordinary social distancing measures that have been in place."

Britain's lockdown has been in place for four weeks, with another two to come at least.

But the Health Secretary said that any mass tracing wasn't tied to decisions on whether to continue with lockdown rules.

 

 

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 Brits are set to be told to wear face coverings in public
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Brits are set to be told to wear face coverings in publicCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Social distancing rules could be in place for the rest of the year
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Social distancing rules could be in place for the rest of the yearCredit: London News Pictures

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