COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom

Patrick Vallance, the UK government's chief adviser, said in mid-March 2020 that the UK would reach the peak of the epidemic in May to June. There was now no way to prevent almost everyone from contracting COVID-19. Although most cases of the disease were relatively mild, there was no way to prevent some of them from being severe and even fatal, he said. Boris Johnson stated in mid-March 2020, "This is no ordinary flu here, this is the worst health crisis we've seen in this generation." Strict exit restrictions have been in place since 23 March 2020.

Of particular concern in the UK is the state-run NHS health system, which is seen as chronically overstretched and ailing. Rosena Allin-Khan, an emergency medicine physician and Labour MP, reported that there is not enough protective clothing for doctors. A survey of doctors published on 7 April 2020 reported that half of GPs surveyed did not feel protected at all due to the lack of equipment. The remainder reported only partial availability of protective equipment. One-third of hospital-based physicians responded that they did not feel protected at all. About half felt partially protected. About half of the hospitalists performing aerosol-forming procedures reported a lack of FFP-3 masks.

In mid-April, it became clear that stocks of long-sleeved, liquid-repellent disposable gowns, recommended for doctors and nurses to protect against coronavirus, had run out and would be depleted in intensive care units. Medical staff were told by authorities that the use of other gowns and aprons was now permitted. Trade unions warned of an increased risk of infection for hospital staff.

Rules for home quarantine were laid down in a government action order: Those with symptoms must remain quarantined at home for seven days and continue to stay at home if fever persists, but those living in a household with others must remain at home for at least 14 days, starting from the day the first household member showed symptoms, if they have symptoms. Those who remain at home with symptoms are not required to undergo COVID-19 testing.

Among other things, the UK government decided to take the following measures:

• People with symptoms (fever and cough) were recommended voluntary isolation for 7 days.
• British companies have been asked to produce more equipment and medical supplies for intensive care units to help the NHS cope with rising numbers of sick people.
• Elderly people have been advised to avoid cruises and go into self-isolation, especially if they have pre-existing conditions.
• On March 23, 2020, the government imposed curfew restrictions, stipulating that citizens could only leave their homes for important errands and sports. Shared outdoor sports were restricted to members of the same household. Gatherings in public spaces of more than two people were banned. On April 16, 2020, it was announced that curfew restrictions were extended for three weeks.
• The lockdown was further extended in mid-April 2020.
• On May 31, 2020, the government announced further changes. As of June 1, 2020, car dealerships will be allowed to open and outdoor markets will be allowed; outdoor gatherings of up to six people will be allowed, with six feet (about two meters) of separation. At the same time, the new rules are more restrictive on indoor gatherings: indoors, any gathering of two or more people "to interact with each other in any form of social interaction or to engage in any other activity with each other" will be banned. Media spoke of a sex ban, as the new rule extends to any contact with people outside the home. Prior to June 1, 2020, someone visiting others in their household was in violation of the lockdown, but the host was not. While the law lists some exceptions to the ban, it does not cover contact with a domestic partner living outside of one's household. More service providers and businesses will be allowed to open starting June 15, 2020.
• For the city of Leicester, a restriction of public life was decided by the British government at the end of June, as the infection figures there had risen in contrast to most other parts of the Kingdom. As a result, Leicester is to keep only systemically important establishments open for at least two weeks from July 1, 2020. Schools would also close in the first few days of July.