There is a growing rift between the government and its top scientific advisors as the UK looks to ease certain lockdown restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Three members of the UK’s government Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have warned that loosening lockdown restrictions could lead to a spike in new cases of coronavirus.
While speaking to Sky News, Professor John Edmunds said that small changes can cause an increase in the reproduction rate above one. Claiming that the most important thing “is that we still have a lot of cases”.
Professor Edmunds’ comments were supported by fellow SAGE member Sir Jeremy Farrar who shared criticism the governments ‘track and trace’ system, which was launched on Thursday.
Sir Jeremy said on Twitter that the pandemic was spreading “too far” in England the system should “fully working” before restrictions are loosened.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Professor Peter Horby was asked if he agreed with Professor Edmunds and Sir Jeremy.
The warnings come as a Downing Street spokesperson admitted on Friday that the government has initiated the lifting of the lockdown restrictions before experts are able to drop the coronavirus threat level from “high”.
Coronavirus threat level remains at 4, under which the governments’ own advice says full social distancing measures must be maintained. The lockdown is only supposed to be reduced at level 3.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that that up to 6 people can convene in groups on the condition that social distancing measures are abided by.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
