The elderly and vulnerable could be shielded from coronavirus for weeks longer than the rest of the population under Government plans to ease the lockdown.
The most “at risk” groups of people face having to stay at home until a vaccine is successfully developed or so-called ‘herd immunity’ is achieved which could take more than a year.
Ministers told the Mirror that it was inevitable that the over-70s and those with underlying health conditions would have to be protected the longest.
One minister told the Mirror: “This is one of the most difficult aspects. I know people don’t want to be the reason why Granny or Grandad get sick.” But they admitted: “This will get harder the longer it goes on.