Scientists say social-distancing may need to continue for ‘at least most of year’ (Picture: Getty Images)

Social distancing must continue until ‘at least most of a year’ in order to control the coronavirus pandemic, scientists have advised.

Evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), shared by the government on Friday, experts stated that the severity of measures could alternate during this period. However, they said the ‘stricter’ measures would likely need to be enforced for at least half of the year to be effective.

The report reads: ‘It was agreed that 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.



‘It was agreed that 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.


The ‘stricter’ measures put in place could last half a year (Picture: Reuters)

Boris Johnson previously said efforts to contain the virus could last 12 weeks (Picture: Getty Images)

‘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.’

The report also suggests more stringent measures could be enforced in London, where the disease is most prevalent.

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It comes just one day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he the UK could ‘turn the tide’ of the coronavirus pandemic in just 12 weeks.

Urging the public to stay at home, he said during his daily press conference: ‘I’m conscious as the days have gone by that people will want to know how long we’re expecting them to keep it up.

‘I think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks and I’m absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country.

Members of the public are advised to stay inside (Picture: Rex Features)

London could have stricter measures introduced (Picture: PA)

‘But only if we all take the steps that we’ve outlined, that is vital, that’s how we’re going to reduce the peak and once we’ve achieved that – and I think that we will – if we take the steps I’ve said, then the scientific progress that we’ve been making will really start coming into play.’

So-far 144 people have died in the UK after testing positive for Covid-19, the Department of Health confirmed last night. There have been 3,269 cases of the virus in the country.

Government Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance described the coronavirus pandemic as an ‘incredibly fast-moving, developing situation’ and said his team were doing their best to give the ‘clearest and most reliable scientific advice’.

He continued: ‘The UK is home to experts who are at the forefront of their chosen fields and we are making full use of their expertise to grow our understanding of COVID-19 as we work tirelessly to tackle this disease.’

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