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Britain is not yet at the point of wanting to change its strict guidelines on social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19, with the government focusing on reviewing the measures by May 7, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said on Tuesday.
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"It is important that they remain in place for now. We need to pass five tests before we can think about moving on to the next phase in the coronavirus response. We are not there yet," the spokesman told reporters.
"What we need to be focused on is everybody following the social distancing rules and ensuring that we have got the spread of this virus fully under control."
A soldier gives instructions to people in a vehicle at the mobile COVID-19 testing unit amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Salisbury, Britain, April 24, 2020. /Reuters
Britain is on track to become one of Europe's worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, according to data on Tuesday that showed deaths from COVID-19 had already topped 20,000 by April 17, including a fast-rising toll in care homes.
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The Office for National Statistics said the death toll involving COVID-19 in England and Wales was 35 per cent higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government as of April 17, according to official data that include deaths in the community.
According to figures released by the health ministry on Monday, 21,092 people had died in hospitals across the United Kingdom after testing positive for COVID-19.
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On Tuesday, the country held a minute of silence to honor frontline workers who've died after contracting COVID-19, with the prime minister leading the nationwide tribute.
London's subway and bus networks came to a halt as workers honored colleagues, and Westminster Abbey paid tribute to "the sacrifice of health and care workers who have lost their lives in the service of others."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said
their families will each receive 60,000 pounds
as part of a new life assurance scheme.
(With input from agencies)
