COVID-19: Normal life will not resume for six months, says senior government doctor

Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the nation might be in "complete lockdown" for half a year, but social distancing measures will be lifted gradually.

The stark warning was made during the Government's daily press conference at Downing Street today (Sunday, March 29)

Her warning came as the Government placed all parts of the UK on an "emergency footing" in an "unprecedented step in peace time".

On what to expect in the near future, Dr Harries said the government would review the lockdown measures in three weeks.

But she warned the public: "We must not then suddenly revert to our normal way of living. That would be quite dangerous."

To stop then would mean all their previous efforts would be "wasted and we could potentially see a second peak" in deaths, she said.

"So over time, probably over the next six months, we will have a three-week review."

Dr Harries also expressed her alarm at the first death of a frontline NHS worker with coronavirus, describing it as "worrying".

Amged El-Hawrani, 55, died at the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday evening and his death was confirmed shortly before the press briefing.

Mr El-Hawrani had worked as an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon at the Queen's Hospital Burton.

It is understood that he had not been in contact with patients in recent weeks.

Speaking at today's conference, cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said "we simply cannot" ask health workers to go on to the frontline without adequate protective equipment.

He says distrubution teams are delivering PPE around the UK.

That includes 42.8 million gloves, 142,000 gowns and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors delivered to 58,000 "health care settings", including hospitals and GP surgeries.

He says further deliveries will soon have been sent to all social workers.

Dr Jenny Harries also said there will be more guidance published soon for NHS workers and social care workers.