A member of the Government's Sage advisory group of scientists has warned that the new coronavirus restrictions had come too late and a “circuit-breaker” lockdown could be needed within weeks.
Professor Calum Semple said the measures introduced in London were not sufficient enough to deal with the threat from Covid-19 and "firmer interventions" will be needed.
The University of Liverpool academic stated that the Government was "late to react" to the pandemic and it will take while before the nation sees the virus waning.
Replying to a question about whether the Covid measures in the capital were strong enough on BBC Radio 4 he said: “I’m going to be difficult and say no, I think we’re a little late to react.”
He said there is a three-to-four-week delay before interventions see benefits in hospitals.
“I and other people who were advocating for quite stringent severe local interventions where necessary three to four weeks ago, our fear is now that we’re in another place now,” he added.
“And that we’re going to need a much firmer intervention perhaps, the so-called circuit-breaker, in the matter of weeks.
“The outbreak is a bit like a super-tanker, you put the brakes on but it takes a long time before you see the effect.”
