British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is too early to relax corona measures in the United Kingdom. That is what the Prime Minister who recovered from COVID-19 knows on Monday in his first speech since his return to 10 Downing Street.
Johnson first spoke outside of his official residence at 10 Downing Street, since he tested positive for the corona virus a month and a day ago. For some time he was on the intensive care.
According to the British Prime Minister, the UK is still in the first phase of fighting the corona virus. Preparations for the second phase have started, but it has not yet started.
Johnson: “If the coronavirus was an invisible robber – which he is, I can tell you from my own experience – then this is when we started to wrestle it to the ground.”
“It is the ideal moment when we have the chance to win, but also when we are at significant risk.”
Greater damage from premature relaxation
Johnson says he is fully aware of the economic impact of the measures. He stresses that premature easing not only leads to more deaths, but also to greater economic damage.
At a second peak, the measures should be reintroduced, resulting in an even greater economic impact.
Johnson says he understands that people want to get back to work. But he asks Britons – who are understandably impatient – to curb their impatience.
“I know it’s difficult. I want to get the economy going again as soon as possible,” he says. “But I refuse to waste the commitment and sacrifice of the British people and risk a second spike of infection.”
Johnson: unclear when second phase can start
Johnson does not yet know when the UK will enter phase two: “We simply cannot determine how long it will be before we can make changes.”
Lockdown measures have been in place in the UK since 23 March. The British are in fifth place in the list of countries with the most corona deaths in the world, with over 20,000 deaths.
Johnson did not want to take measures at the start of the outbreak, but changed his mind when scientists predicted a quarter of a million deaths in the UK if no action was taken.
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