Govt scientific advisor Prof Neil Ferguson on #r4today ...

- Wants to relax current lockdown measures by at least the end of May, perhaps earlier.
- Epidemic expected to plateau in next wk/10 days.
- Rate of decline unknown & determined by how closely we stick to soc distancing.

Prof Ferguson v clear that even if current intense social distancing measures are relaxed in the coming eight weeks, life won't be returning to normal.

Also clear that if we ignore lockdown guidelines now, it will get worse and tight restrictions will stay in place for longer.

He says it's hoped strict social distancing can (eventually) be substituted with mass testing & intensive contact tracing.

But case numbers need to come down before that can be done.

"No one wants to lift measures and risk the epidemic getting larger", says Prof Ferguson.