Hundreds of scientists and other experts are challenging the UK government over what they say is its failure to take tough enough measures to contain the coronavirus epidemic, calling for stronger action on “social distancing” to keep people apart.

An open letter signed by 240 scientists says: “By putting in place social distancing measures now, the growth can be slowed down dramatically, and thousands of lives can be spared. We consider the social distancing measures taken as of today as insufficient, and we believe that additional and more restrictive measures should be taken immediately, as is already happening in other countries across the world.” 

The Covid-19 epidemic will affect millions of people in the next few weeks unless its growth is constrained, say the signatories, who include leading professors in fields from maths to medicine: “This will most probably put the NHS at serious risk of not being able to cope with the flow of patients needing intensive care.”