Social distancing would need to happen for "at least half the year" to stop NHS intensive care units being overwhelmed, the Government's scientific advisers have said.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, or Sage, recommended alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures to keep the number of critical care cases within capacity.
Strict measures include school closures and social distancing for everyone regardless of age, whereas less restrictive measures include isolating cases and households.
They should a form of measures would need to be in place "for at least most of the year" to help control the pandemic. In a statement on March 16, Sage said that just using less restrictive measures such as