March 20, 2020 1.14 pm This story is over 63 months old

Coronavirus restrictions “need to be in place most of a year,” scientists say

“At least half of the year would be spent under the stricter social distancing measures”

UK Scientific advice has said the country will need to live with social distancing measures for “at least most of a year”.

A consensus view of the interventions released earlier this week said a policy of “alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures” could keep the number of critical care cases “within capacity”.

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

However, it said there would be a two-three week delay from measures being introduced until the impact was felt in intensive care units.

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