Health officials ‘not confident’ UK can cope with second coronavirus spike amid fears lockdown being eased too quickly

A senior public health official said she does not feel “confident” that the UK is ready to deal with a second spike in coronavirus cases. Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health [ADPH], warned that ministers are “misjudging” the balancing act and lifting “too many of the restrictions too quickly”. It comes as pupils start to return to school today as major changes are made to coronavirus lockdown restrictions. People in England will be allowed to meet up with up to six people from separate households outdoors, while more than two million clinically vulnerable people who have been shielding from the virus for the past 10 weeks will also be allowed to go outside.