This is ‘new normal’ until we discover a vaccine, says Gove
BRITONS must brace themselves to live in this “new normal” until a vaccine against coronavirus is developed, Michael Gove has warned.
The Cabinet minister said the Government would not “flick a switch” on the current restrictions and indicated it could impose targeted local lockdowns, if there is a sudden outbreak of the virus in any specific area.
Speaking in Downing Street, Mr Gove said the country was facing staggered use of public transport and other measures, as the Government takes a cautious approach to change the rules.
He said: “Ultimately, unless and until we have a new vaccine, I suspect we are going to have to live with some degree of constraint because of the nature of the virus.”
Official figures yesterday, showed
28,446 people with coronavirus have now died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community, up by 315 on the day before.
Changes will be made to lockdown in stages Mr Gove said. “A phased approach is one which allows us to monitor the impact that those changes are having on public health and if necessary, in a specific and localised way, that means we can pause or even reintroduce those restrictions that might be required.”
He added testing would go beyond key workers to anyone over 65 displaying symptoms and anyone who has to travel to work.
He also outlined a new app to track the virus. “We will be piloting new test, track and trace procedures on the Isle of Wight with a view to having them in place more widely later this month,” he said.