简体中文
Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty (L) and UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance arrive at Downing Street to attend a press conference on the government's coronavirus action plan in London, Britain, March 3, 2020. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
**Admitting that Britain is facing a national challenge, British PM Boris Johnson said he is "very confident that Britain will get through it in good shape," urging people to carry on as normal in their daily lives.
**
LONDON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday set out the government's action plan to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the number of infections reached 51 across the country.
Launched during a press conference at Downing Street, the new plan sets out how Britain will take all necessary and reasonable steps to tackle the outbreak.
A man walks past the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain, on March 3, 2020. The impact of coronavirus on British economy could "prove large but will ultimately be temporary", Mark Carney, governor of Bank of England (BoE) said Tuesday. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
The plan has four strands. Containing the virus, delaying its spread, researching its origins and cure, and finally mitigating the impact should the virus becomes more widespread.
"That is, contain, delay, research, mitigate," Johnson told reporters, noting that Britain is currently at the "containment" stage.
"The plan does not set out what the government will do, it sets out the steps we could take at the right time along the basis of the scientific advice," said Johnson.
A kiosk shows a surgical or dust masks sales sign in central London, Britain, on March 3, 2020.(Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
Admitting that Britain is facing a national challenge, Johnson said he is "very confident that Britain will get through it in good shape," urging people to carry on as normal in their daily lives.
The National Health Service (NHS) is well equipped and prepared for the outbreak. "We will make sure the NHS gets all the support it needs to continue their brilliant response to the virus so far," said the prime minister.
Commenting on public concern about the global spread of the virus, Johnson said "it is highly likely that we will see a growing number of UK cases. And that's why keeping the country safe is the government's overriding priority."
"And our plan means we're committed to doing everything possible based on the advice of our world leading scientific experts to prepare for all eventualities," he said.
A shopper looks for pasta on the almost-empty shelves at a supermarket in London, Britain, on March 3, 2020.(Xinhua)
Meanwhile, Johnson also congratulated the Chinese authorities on the speedy sharing of the novel coronavirus outbreak information.
"I congratulate the Chinese authorities on the speed with which they posted the news of the outbreak that has serious international implications," Johnson told reporters.
The prime minister said Britain continues to have a global coordination on fighting against the virus.
Johnson hosted the press conference alongside Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Government Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance.
Whitty, for his part, said the Chinese authorities have "very helpfully" laid out valuable information such as mortality rate related to the virus.■
