COVID-19 tide can turn in 12 weeks: British premier

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press conference on Thursday that if citizens follow government advice on coronavirus, he thinks the country can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks.

After this period, scientists will be better able to fight the coronavirus, and that randomized tests for vaccines will start within a month.

The U.K. was also in negotiations to buy hundreds of thousands of antibodies test that could tell if people had previously had the coronavirus, Johnson said, adding that this means they would have had greater immunity to the disease and return to normal life and go to work.

Johnson also called on British businesses to stand by their workers as the government will stand by businesses.

He said many people were following government advice, but that compliance in some parts of London with advice on social distancing was “patchy,” and the government might have to go further.

This would not include totally shutting down the transport network, he said, nor prevent people, particularly key workers, going to work.

The National Health Service announced the U.K.-wide death toll rose to 144 on Thursday, with 3,269 positive cases in the country.

Around four out of 10 coronavirus deaths are in London, according to various reports.

- Support for government rises

A poll by Ipsos MORI, a polling agency, showed that net government approval ratings hit their highest levels since 2010, when the ruling Conservative Party returned to power.

The poll found 49% of respondents thought the government was handling the crisis well, as opposed to 35% who thought the opposite, a net approval rating of +14.

For Johnson himself, the figures were 47% in favor of his handling and 38% against, a net approval rating of +9.

The government’s overall approval ratings also shot up: 48% were satisfied with the government’s performance, with 41% dissatisfied, a net approval rating of +7. This was the Conservatives' first net positive rating since 2010, and the highest for any government at this point in office since the Tony Blair-era.

The poll found pessimism towards the economy, but with 69% thinking the economy would get worse over the next 12 months, the lowest level of confidence since the 2008 financial crisis.

- Queen ready to play royal part

Queen Elizabeth II released a message to the nation regarding the coronavirus outbreak.

“We know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” she said.

“At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.

“We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals - today and in the coming days, weeks and months. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part,” she added.

- Calls for universal basic income

The government faced calls from all sides to implement a universal basic income to help people through the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.

Greg Clark, a former business secretary for the ruling Conservative Party, said taxpayers should subsidize companies’ wage bills and 46 opposition MPs demanded the government to introduce a universal basic income for all citizens.

Citizens Advice, a network of hundreds of independent charities, called on the government to introduce a crisis income of at least £180 ($207.47) per week.

Rishi Sunak, the U.K.'s chancellor of the exchequer, is expected to give further details of the government’s economic support package on Friday.

The Bank of England’s Money Policy Committee cut interest rates to 0.1% and raised its holdings of the U.K. government and corporate bonds by £200 billion at a special meeting.

The social, as well as economic, impact of the outbreak is also continuing to be felt.

England’s Football Association have delayed all fixtures, including those in the Premier League, until April 30 at the earliest.

The BFI & Radio Times Television Festival, scheduled for April 17-19, has been cancelled due to the outbreak.

The Church of England said weddings should be limited to five people, including the priest, bride, groom and two witnesses.

- No plans for London lockdown

Earlier in the day, Johnson’s official spokesperson addressed rumors that London would be locked down.

“There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restriction being placed on traveling in or out of London. The prime minister and his advisers have set out the need for social distancing measures to limit the spread of the virus and to protect lives,” the spokesperson said.

“What we’re focused on is ensuring as many people as possible take that advice and don’t unnecessarily put themselves in a position where they could be spreading coronavirus.”

The spokesperson also dismissed claims people would be fine if they left their homes or that only one person at a time could leave their home.

The London Underground shut down 40 stations until further notice to mitigate the outbreak, and urged people not to travel around the capital if possible.

“People should not be traveling, by any means, unless they really, really have to,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan, adding: “Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary and that means they should be avoiding using the transport network unless absolutely necessary.”

Transport for London said it would gradually reduce public transport services on the underground and buses across the capital from Monday onwards as it seeks to focus providing services to critical workers.

COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 160 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Out of more than 240,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 9,800, and over 84,500 have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who become infected suffer only mild symptoms and recover.