Some lockdown measures that restrict the social interactions of Britons could be in place for six months, but the steps are bearing fruit in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters quoted Britain's deputy chief medical officer as saying on Thursday.

Jenny Harries declined to say when the peak in the epidemic would be, saying that the effects of new measures to enforce social distancing were only just being seen but signs were promising.

“We may see measures of lockdown going forward over the next six months. That would not be an implausible outcome. But I also said I think that as we're watching the curve, it may be possible... to start moving that,” she said at a news conference.

“We are starting to see some helpful movement... But we must not take our foot off the pedal.”