Boris Johnson has revealed more information about how long the fight against coronavirus wil llast.
During his daily conference today (March 19), he told the nation he thought the UK could "turn the tide within the next 12 weeks".
Mr Johnson said he used the latest scientific evidence for his predictions but they would only come into fruition if everyone acted responsibly now.
Everyone is urged to avoid social contact, stay clear of pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants and work from home - if possible.
People with either a cough or fever should self-isolate for seven days - and anyone in their household should remain at home for two weeks.
“I’m conscious as the days have gone by that people will want to know how long we’re expecting them to keep it up,” he told his daily press conference in No 10.
“I think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks and I’m absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country.
“But only if we all take the steps that we’ve outlined, that is vital, that’s how we’re going to reduce the peak and once we’ve achieved that and I think that we will, if we take the steps I’ve said, then the scientific progress that we’ve been making will really start coming into play.”
He also confirmed the first UK patient had been put in a randomised trial for a vaccine against the deadly disease.
Today it was also revealed that everyone in the UK could get free monthly cash payments regardless of circumstances.
Mr Johnson said he was considering using the Universal Credit Basic Income as one of the measures to help the UK deal with the outbreak of coronavirus,
Tragically, the death toll rose in England to 128 in the past 24 hours after a further 29 people died.
Schools and nurseries are set for the foreseeable future tomorrow for every child apart from those with parents who are considered 'key workers'.
