Coronavirus social distancing to last for ‘next calendar year’

Professor Chris Whitty says it is ‘wholly unrealistic’ to expect life to return to normal soon

Chris Whitty
Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, at Downing Street
(Image credit: Alberto Pizzoli/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The government’s chief medical adviser has warned that it is “wholly unrealistic” to expect life to return to normal soon and suggested that social distancing measures to halt the spread of coronavirus could last until the end of the calendar year.

Speaking at yesterday’s Downing Street briefing, Professor Chris Whitty said some preventative measures would need to stay in place until a vaccine or treatment was developed.

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