The British government has warned that the coronavirus outbreak is spreading faster than it initially predicted, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Tuesday.
The spread of the virus across the UK capital is “a few weeks ahead” of the rest of the country, Khan also said, citing guidance given by the government at Monday’s emergency ‘COBRA’ meeting.
“I was told by the government, and the government’s advisers, that London is a few weeks ahead of the rest of the country, and the way that this virus is spreading is faster than the government and advisers had thought,” Khan said during an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
“We can understand why London is further ahead than the rest of the country, because of our connectivity, our global travel, our density,” Khan said, highlighting that 23 people have so far died in London after contracting the virus.
“I think the advice given by the government now is the right advice…we’ve got to take sensible to steps to avoid the virus spreading faster,” the mayor added.
Khan’s remarks come just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, advising against all unnecessary social contact.
“Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel,” Johnson said Monday.
“We need people to start working from home where they possibly can and you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues,” he said.
