A lockdown has been imposed on the United Kingdom since March as the government attempts to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and alleviate the pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).
The United Kingdom is not looking to end the coronavirus lockdown yet, said government minister Michael Gove on Sunday, as the national COVID-19 death toll rose to above 16,000.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove responded to a Buzzfeed report that the government was considering steadily lifting the quarantine restrictions in a “three-stage” process.
“One of the things that is deeply worrying and concerning is the high level of deaths,” he added.
Gove’s comments come as data shows that the UK’s coronavirus death toll rose by 596 to 16,060 on Sunday – the lowest daily increase in two weeks.
The UK currently has the fifth highest death toll of any country which has been afflicted by the pandemic that has caused 150,000 deaths globally.
As the coronavirus spreads across the country, the UK’s hospitals are beginning to come under strain and front-line health workers have criticised the government’s advice to reuse protective equipment, as shortages of essential materials begin to take their toll.
The United States has suggested that it intends to begin lifting its own lockdown measures in order to boost the economy.
President Trump has previously said that the “cure cannot be worse than the problem itself” and earlier expressed hope that the social distancing measures would be over by Easter.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
