AAsked if the June 21 reopening should continue, Dr David Nabarro, special envoy on Covid-19 for the World Health Organization, said: ‘Life has to go on and the last thing we want is that people need to continue to restrict their lives, but this virus has not gone away.

“And in some ways he’s hiding and just waiting to strike again.

“I want to suggest everyone, please be really very careful – by all means governments should lift the restrictions but it’s really up to people everywhere to organize their lives to minimize the number of contact they have with others, and wear their face masks and continue this protection. “

He added: “It cannot be just restrictions – the future of humanity is going to require that we adapt our lifestyles in order to make it difficult for this virus to spread.

“We know that the virus is constantly evolving, which means that while vaccination is a wonderful asset, it will not be enough.

“We’re going to have to continue to behave as if the virus is an ever-present threat.

“So, by all means, let the restrictions be lifted, but at the same time, could I encourage everyone everywhere to continue to behave with caution.

“At school, at university, at the pub, at the restaurant, at the social club, the virus is always going to be there and it can come back with a huge surge, very, very quickly.”