In his first public statement after returning to work, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the British people not to give up on social distance measures, which put the coronavirus under control.

The complete repeal of the measures would now bring the risk of a “second jump” in infections, which would cause further damage, he said.

“I’m sorry to be away from my office much longer than I would like”, said Boris Johnson in a statement to Downing Street 10. He said the country was nearing the end of the “first phase” of the outbreak. “We are now beginning to reverse the trend”, said he, adding that “this is the moment of opportunity. This is also the moment of maximum risk”.

Boris Johnson spoke to the nation exactly one month after being isolated for a disease that turned out to be a severe case of Covid-19, which put him in intensive care for several days and left Britain without its leader as the country entered the pandemic peak. Boris Johnson spent two weeks recuperating at his residence near the capital and returned to London on Sunday night.

His statement was both a signal that he was taking responsibility again and also an attempt to tackle the challenges facing the government. There are already signs of blockade fatigue in the public that has closed most shops and all pubs and restaurants and prevented people from meeting friends. Business owners and members of his Conservative Party are growing calls for a way to restart the economy.

The Prime Minister was adamant that there would be no recent relief from the rules in force. Although he indicated some signs of success, including falling hospitalizations, it was important for the country to remain cautious. Too early cancellation would risk a second wave of infections, which would cause an “economic disaster”, he said.

“I want to get this economy moving as fast as possible, but I refuse to give credit for all the hard work and sacrifice of the British people and risk a second major hearth and a huge loss of life”, said Boris Johnson. “Please limit your impatience because I believe we are reaching the end of the first phase of this conflict. Despite all the suffering, we almost succeeded”, added he.