Dr Hilary Jones told Lorraine Kelly COVID-19 could be with us for another whole year in worrying news from Tuesday morning's show.
He said a potential vaccine or the virus was still at least six months away, and that it will take at least another year before things start to look up.
Hilary said it was a pivotal time to firmly adhere to social distancing measures in order to reap the benefits in the future.
Lorraine asked: "You say knuckle down, but do you reckon realistically if we look in six months say?" Hilary replied: "I think we will be in a better situation, I don't think we will be out of the woods. "My personal feeling is that this will take another year." Lorraine looked aghast as she said: "Wow, but not living like this though?"