Health

Johnson says UK gov’t will apply ‘maximum caution’ when lifting lockdown

(Update 1: Adds latest figures)

  London, May 7 (efe-epa).- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday that the government will use “maximum caution” when considering lifting lockdown restrictions.

The United Kingdom has reported the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in Europe and second-highest in the world behind the United States.

There have been more than 206,000 confirmed cases and 30,615 fatalities in the country, according to figures compiled by the government.

Johnson is due to announce plans to ease restrictions in the country on Sunday, which would come into force from Monday.

A spokesman for the leader said he told his ministers in a cabinet meeting: “We are not going to do anything that risks a second peak.

“We will advance with maximum caution in order to protect the NHS and to save lives.

“We will be guided at every step by the science and the data and we will closely track the impact of any easing of the social distancing measures and will not hesitate to tighten the rules if required.”

The government is due to re-evaluate the containment measures, which have been in place since 23 March, and is likely to extend them for another three weeks.

There have been numerous reports in the British press speculating about how the restrictions might be relaxed.

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