Yahoo News Five ways the government's coronavirus action plan could affect you
The UK government has released its latest plans for dealing with coronavirus.
It comes as England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said “probably around 1% of people who get this virus might end up dying”, while adding the death rate varies according to age group.
The coronavirus action plan details what the government is planning to do next, with Boris Johnson having said it is “highly likely” the number of cases in the UK will rise.
Here are five ways the government’s action plan could affect you in your day-to-day life:
1. One in five Brits could be off work during ‘peak weeks’
Read more here.
2. Police and fire crews may drop low-priority cases and callouts
The advice reads: “Emergency services, including the police and fire and rescue services, will enact business continuity plans to ensure they are able to maintain a level of service that fulfils their critical functions.
“For example, with a significant loss of officers and staff, the police would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order.”
3. Non-urgent healthcare appointments may be delayed
The government said: “As NHS/HSCNI [the Northern Irish healthcare service] staff also start to become affected, and more seriously ill patients require admission, clinicians may recommend a significantly different approach to admissions.
”Some non-urgent care may be delayed to prioritise and triage service delivery.”
4. Schools could be closed to reduce the spread
The advice reads: “The UK government’s education departments' planning assumptions include the possibility of having to close educational settings in order to reduce the spread of infection.”
5. Most people with coronavirus will be told to look after themselves
“Everyone can help support the UK’s response,” the document reads, “by accepting that the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines.”
