Boris: ‘We can turn the tide in 12 weeks’
BORIS JOHNSON has told the nation he is “absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country” and the tide can be turned within the next 12 weeks.
The Prime Minister urged members of the public to heed the advice to keep up social distancing and stay at home if ill or if somebody in their household is ill as he said: “I know it’s tough, I know it’s difficult... but please, please follow the advice.”
He thanked everyone for the “huge efforts that the country is making” and urged businesses to stand by their employees, with further announcements due from Chancellor Rishi Sunak today.
But he stressed that “nothing is ruled out”, suggesting tougher restrictions on movement could be introduced if people failed to comply with advice.
“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,” he told reporters at his daily press conference in Downing Street.
“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.
“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.”
It comes as the Queen issued a message to the nation which says the UK is “entering a period of great concern and uncertainty”, adding that “our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one”.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Invictus Games which was due to be held in The Hague in May has been called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers said the sporting competition founded by the Duke of Sussex was likely to be rescheduled to May or June 2021.
Harry, who is quitting as a senior royal at the end of the month, was set to travel to the Netherlands with the Duchess of Sussex to attend the event.
The competition brings together current and former wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women from more than 20 countries.
In a statement, the Invictus Games Foundation said: “The decision was also taken in recognition of the anticipated strain on medical staff and the infrastructure required in dealing with the pandemic.
“We did not wish to add to the complexity of the response, or increase the risk to those involved, by bringing together an international and potentially vulnerable audience.”
It added: “We are now investigating all options to reschedule the Invictus Games, subject to the availability of key facilities and resources, to May or June 2021.
“Significant planning to scope and confirm this option is under way.”