London, May 12: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that a mass vaccine for the novel coronavirus may be over a year away and, in the worst-case scenario, may in fact never be found.
In his foreword to the government’s new 50-page guidance on a step by step easing of the lockdown measures in place to control the spread of the deadly virus, the UK prime minister lays out plans for businesses to gradually start reopening with “COVID-19 Secure” measures of social distancing and for the public to use “good solid British common sense” as the economy is unlocked.
“A mass vaccine or treatment may be more than a year away,” said Johnson, highlighting the work being done in the UK by scientists at Oxford University and Imperial College London towards this mission.
“Indeed, in a worst-case scenario, we may never find a vaccine. So our plan must countenance a situation where we are in this, together, for the long haul, even while doing all we can to avoid that outcome,” he said.
Admitting that a vaccine or drug-based treatment is the only “feasible long-term solution”, he said the UK has accelerated this with “promising” vaccine development programmes and a collaboration between Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca was a vital step that could help rapidly advance the manufacture of a Covid-19 vaccine when it is ready.
As part of global efforts, he flagged the GBP 388 million in aid funding for research into vaccines, tests and treatment, including GBP 250m to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
“But while we hope for a breakthrough, hope is not a plan,” he said, as he unveiled his plan for starting to lift lockdown restrictions from this week in phases.
Following a televised address to the nation on Sunday night and a statement in Parliament on Monday, the guidance comes into effect in public life across England from Wednesday when people will be allowed one-to-one contact with people other than those they live with, as long as they remain outside and two metres apart.
They are allowed to play sport with a friend or family member from outside their household or socialise with them in the open air for the first time in more than six weeks since the lockdown was imposed.
People are still advised to work from home where possible but start heading into work where necessary, in sectors such as construction and manufacturing, keeping the social distancing norms in place.
Under the step by step plan, by the start of next month non-essential shops will also reopen, with some hairdressers, pubs and cinemas to follow from July. However, as part of a Covid-19 Alert System, if infection rates are seen to be rising again, restrictions would be tightened “possibly at short notice”.
Fines for breaching the new rules will also be increased to GBP 100 and will double for each repeat offence, up to a maximum of GBP 3,200.
Johnson said: "I must ask the country to be patient with a continued disruption to our normal way of life, but to be relentless in pursuing our mission to build the systems we need. The worst possible outcome would be a return to the virus being out of control – with the cost to human life, and – through the inevitable re-imposition of severe restrictions – the cost to the economy. We must stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.
“Then, as vaccines and treatment become available, we will move to another new phase, where we will learn to live with Covid-19 for the longer term without it dominating our lives.”
The devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales are putting their own measures in place and keeping the “stay at home” message in place, rather than switch to the new “stay alert” message.
The UK government’s latest messaging has come under attack from the Opposition and other sections of society over a feared lack of clarity for the general public.
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THERE IS ALREADY A FILM CALLED "THE MESSAGE" DO YOU HAVE PATIENCE TO WATCH?
THERE IS ALREADY A FILM CALLED THE MESSAGE
Let this jungli ignorant ask his PAKODA Janata Party (PJP) LEADER who financed the film Padmavat.
Prophet Muhammed is the last and final messenger of ALLAH, Who conveyed the message of Oneness of GOD almighty who is worthy of Worship....God sent many prophets including Abraham, moses, jesus and many others to convey this message prior to the last prophet of Mankind... Prophet Muhammad pbuh is not just for muslims but he came to convey to the whole of Mankind. Many people in arabia were worshipping manmade gods like idols, statues, images and animals instead of TRUE ONE GOD (which is NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI).
Quran is the book revealed to Prophet Muhammad pbuh which is unchanged since its revelation... I request non muslims to Open up the QURAN ( U can also try quranproject online) to understand WHO GOD is? If U are honest in looking for the CREATOR of all that exist ... U will surely find him . Then
It is very EASY to find out how such criminal evil minded politicians are PLAYING in your minds... to keep away from the REAL issues of the SOCIETY>>>
A film already exists. The Message. Plz watch it.
Oye Minister Ji, Y Prophet Mohammed is coming into this picture. Dont dare to create communal voilence by shitting thru your mouth. Tomorrow you will say about "Jesus" too. Blast the guy who made padmavati, dont create communal tension by commenting non-related matter here. Indian public wasting money on films, if public stops watching no film will make money & every star will be like a common man. We as people should understand. Better dont watch any movie, let all starts come to common level.
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