Millions of Brits could be told to work from home and avoid travel if coronavirus starts to spread rapidly across the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out the government’s new battle plan tomorrow – in a desperate bid to stop the killer bug from gripping Britain.
Brits will be encouraged to work from home and told to avoid unnecessary travel in the ‘social distancing’ strategy which hopes to delay the peak of a coronavirus outbreak.
The Government will not force businesses to make their employees work from home or monitor their travelling but will encourage firms to follow the measures if the virus spreads.
The plan also looks to bring back health professionals who have retired while relaxing rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and health care settings.
Boris Johnson said: “It is highly likely coronavirus will spread more widely in the coming days and weeks, which is why we’re making every possible preparation.
“We have agreed a plan, which I will set out in detail today, so if the virus should spread, we are ready to take necessary steps to contain it and protect the most vulnerable.
“But we can all continue to do our bit to fight this virus – by washing our hands with soap and water for the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. It is highly likely coronavirus will spread more widely in the coming days and weeks, which is why we’re making every possible preparation.”
