A FORMER WHO executive and Number 10 advisor has revealed his four-step strategy to ease Britain out of its draconian coronavirus lockdown.

Professor Karol Sikora, ex-director of the UN body's cancer unit and former member of the Department of Health's Expert Advisory Group on cancer, said the first step would be to let small businesses with fewer than 50 staff open again on April 27.

Downing Street should then allow all schools to reopen and ease social distancing measures rolled out across the UK on May 4, he said.

Offices, bars and restaurants could then open again on May 18, allowing millions of cooped up Brits to finally start enjoying their summer.

The final step ministers should take would be to ease restrictions on international travel and mass gatherings on June 1, Professor Sikora said.

He added that the lockdown is working and that "we are flattening the curve".

But Professor Sikora said we "need to see an exit strategy" - and posted his opinion on "how it could be done safely".

He tweeted: "With more testing, no mutation of the virus and compliance with the rules I think this is a feasible timetable."

Professor Sikora warned his timeline is based on the outbreak peaking this weekend and people "behaving themselves" and following the current rules.

Downing Street today announced the lockdown measures will be reviewed around the three-week mark on Easter Monday.

Number 10 imposed the strict measures on March 23, in a desperate attempt to slow the escalating crisis and get the outbreak under control.

Leading scientists believe the situation is now levelling off, with the number of new infections yesterday being the lowest since March 31.

The UK's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance last night sparked hope, saying it was possible the UK was "beginning to see" the curve flattening.

But he added it would be another "week or so" before they could be sure, indicating lockdown measures would not be eased before then.

And King's College London scientists today suggested the lockdown is working, with figures showing suspected cases have plummeted by 500,000 in a week.

But de-facto PM Dominic Raab warned "taking our foot off the pedal" would be the "worst thing" the country could do at this stage in the outbreak.

His concerns were echoed by the WHO's regional director for Europe this morning, who warned against lifting strict lockdowns imposed across the continent.

Dr Hans Kluge described the current situation as "very concerning" and very clearly added: "Now is not the time to relax measures."

Around half of the 1.4million COVID-19 cases recorded around the world have been in Europe, with Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the UK the five hardest-hit nations.

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