Lockdown restrictions should be eased very gradually in order to maintain public trust in health policy following the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts advising the government.
A paper drawn up by the scientific pandemic influenza group on behaviour (SPI-B), considered by the scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage) at its April 2 meeting, suggests the abrupt lifting of restrictions imposed for months may lead to people believing the risk of infection has ceased or significantly reduced.
The paper published by Sage today states: “If there is then an increase in infection rates that necessitates a reintroduction of restrictions this is likely to be seen as a serious failure of policy and trust in public health advice will