British scientists: No normality until vaccine

He says sports fans should return to stadiums by October and remaining restrictions could be lifted from November, possibly in time for Christmas.

“But epidemiologist John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies,” says a return to pre-pandemic normality wouldn’t be possible until there’s a vaccine for the virus.

He says a world where people can go to work normally, travel on the buses and trains, go on holiday without restrictions, meet friends, shake hands, hug each other and so on that’s a long way off, unfortunately.

England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, also says social distancing rules would have to be in place for a prolonged period.

Britain has registered more than 45,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, the highest total in Europe.