London: Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday warned against relaxing the coronavirus restrictions too soon as the country could still face a second wave of attack by the “invisible mugger”, in his first remarks since returning to work after contracting the disease that has killed over 20,000 in the UK.
While declaring that the tide is being turned on the coronavirus pandemic in the country, he urged the people to contain their impatience against the crippling lockdown that has forced them to give up temporarily their “ancient and basic freedoms.” “We are beginning to turn the tide…There are real signs we are passing through the peak,” said Johnson, in an upbeat address to the nation on the steps of 10 Downing Street.
Johnson, 55, had been recuperating from his intensive care treatment at a London hospital earlier this month after he contracted the deadly virus.
He returned to 10 Downing Street on Sunday evening from his prime ministerial countryside retreat at Chequers, where he had been based since his discharge from St Thomas’ Hospital on April 12.
“I ask you to contain your impatience because I believe now we are coming to the end of the first phase of this conflict,” he said, promising “maximum transparency” on the decisions to be taken as the UK enters phase two of the Covid-19 fightback, which will involve one by one firing up the “economic engines” of the UK economy.
He said the UK has “so far collectively shielded our National Health Service” and “flattened the peak” – but he could not yet say when or which restrictions would be lifted to ease lockdown.
Johnson wanted to send out a clear message that this is the moment of “maximum risk”, making it imperative that no steps can be taken to ease up restrictions that could lead to a risk of a “second spike” of infections.
He said the UK has “so far collectively shielded our NHS” and “flattened the peak” – but he could not yet say when or which restrictions would be lifted to ease lockdown. (PTI)
