Johnson seeks to clarify lockdown exit strategy

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that a vaccine for novel coronavirus may "never" be developed, and that its threat could be around for the "foreseeable future" in a 60-page document published on Monday that sought to clarify the government's road map plan for easing nationwide lockdown measures.

The document titled "Our Plan to Rebuild" sets out a three-phase approach to easing the nationwide shutdown, beginning on Wednesday, when citizens in England will be allowed to leave their households for exercise and leisure. However, the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have declined to adjust their lockdown restrictions.

The government warned that there would not be "a quick return to normality" and social distancing measures would continue for at least a year.

The most immediate change suggests face coverings for enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible, including on public transport.

In a statement to Parliament on Monday, Johnson said the government is taking the "small limited steps that we can" to ease the lockdown.

In response to questioning from opposition leader Keir Starmer in the House of Commons, Johnson said: "There will be myriad hypothetical questions. But let's be absolutely clear－I think everybody understands what we are trying to do together.

"And that is working together as a country to obey social distancing rules that everyone understands.

"This is the moment for the whole country to come together, obey those rules and apply their common sense in the application of those rules."

Meanwhile, the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which pays workers furloughed from their employment, will be extended until September, at a reduced rate of 60 percent, according to The Telegraph.

Separately, the total death toll in the country has risen to 32,065, the Department of Health and Social Care said on Monday.

Across Europe, the virus had infected 1,580,652 people and claimed 153,624 lives as of Tuesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Supportive measures

Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said on Tuesday he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was receiving treatment at hospital.

As of Tuesday, the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center reported 10,899 new cases over the previous 24 hours, taking the total number to 232,243.

Putin decided on a new package of measures to support citizens and the economy amid the pandemic during a Monday meeting about combating the spread of the outbreak.

He also announced that nonworking days in Russia would end on Tuesday, while the ban on holding mass events due to the coronavirus would continue. He, however, added it would take significant time to end restrictions in the regions.

Putin said the measures had affected many sectors of the economy, and urged the heads of regions to provide tools to support small and medium-sized businesses and their employees.

Also on Monday, the Italian government said it would give the regions the power to roll back restrictions introduced to halt the coronavirus in a move that was likely to see most remaining curbs lifted next week.

Under current guidelines, bars, restaurants and hairdressers were supposed to remain shuttered until at least June 1.

At a meeting between ministers and local government leaders on Monday, the coalition agreed that Italy's 20 regions could set their own pace, defusing a growing source of strife among political parties.

In France, children began going back to school on Tuesday as the country gradually lifts confinement measures, following two months of lockdown.

But school attendance is not compulsory. The French government has allowed parents to keep children at home amid fears prompted by COVID-19.

Chen Yingqun in Beijing, Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.