UK PM Boris Johnson to unveil action plan to battle coronavirus spread

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to unveil a so-called battleplan to contain spre of coronavirus in UK, as number of positive cases rose to 39. new steps will involve possible school closures, cancelling events and bringing staff from state-funded National Health Service (NHS) out of retirement. Over time, unnecessary travel could also be curbed and people urged to work from home and legislation will be introduced to ensure ministers have powers to prepare for a widespre outbreak.

“It is highly likely coronavirus will spre more widely in coming days and weeks, which is why we’re making every possible preparation,” said Johnson in a statement ahe of a press conference at 10 Downing Street to unveil plan.

“We have agreed a plan, which I will set out in detail today [Tuesday], so if virus should spre, we are rey to take necessary steps to contain it and protect most vulnerable. But we can all continue to do our bit to fight this virus – by washing our hands with soap and water for length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice,” he said.

plan was agreed at government's emergency COBRA committee meeting on coronavirus outbreak on Monday, where health experts and government chiefs discussed, finalised and signed off “battleplan”.

Later in week, a major public information campaign will be launched setting out clear steps public can take to limit spre of virus, including washing ir hands regularly with soap and water.

A new Bill will be published in coming weeks to ensure UK government has all necessary powers to prepare for and tackle coronavirus outbreak. Under measures alrey in place, every UK government department has a designated ministerial virus le to oversee response to global threat of virus, for instance on schools or businesses.

A war room has been set up in Cabinet Office, bringing toger communications experts and scientists from across government and NHS to roll out public information campaign. Coronavirus will also be a standing item on weekly Cabinet nda. As situation unfolds, more home working and discouraging unnecessary travel is planned as part of a “social distancing” strategy that could delay peak of outbreak until later in year, potentially helping combat virus in warmer wear conditions.

Looking at emergency registration of health professionals who have retired, introduction of emergency indemnity cover for healthcare workers to provide care or diagstic services and relaxation of rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and childcare settings are also underway.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said government was t currently recommending cancelling of large events such as London Marathon or school closures, unless this was vised by Public Health England. However, he said re was a "significant risk" of virus becoming more widespre, meaning furr measures might be necessary.

"re may be things that we have to do down line that we may t want to, but we will need powers to do that, hence proposing emergency legislation," he said. Meanwhile, UK’s Indian-origin Chancellor Rishi Sunak has ordered his Treasury officials to work up plans to support public health response, businesses and ecomy in his Budget on March 11.

"We are well prepared for this global threat and, as wider ecomic picture becomes clearer, we stand rey to anunce furr support where needed," he said.

spre of virus and deaths from resulting disease COVID-19 have been on rise around world, with four new UK cases anunced on Monday, all of whom h travelled to Italy – which has seen largest outbreak in Europe. latest cases came as European Union (EU) raised coronavirus risk level in member states to "moderate to high".

UK's Department of Health said a total of 13,525 people h been tested in UK, of which 13,485 were negative. Globally, about 86,000 people have been infected, with cases in more than 50 countries. More than 3,000 people have died – vast majority in China's Hubei province, where outbreak originated in December.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can le to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.