Boris Johnson needs a better plan to protect lives and jobs if a second wave hits the UK

Editorial: Pandemics tend to come in waves and eradication can take years. The prime minister’s weak ideas for fighting new outbreaks are a cause for concern

Shoppers in Southampton after restrictions were lifted on stores deemed non-essential

The joint warning issued by the leaders of the royal medical colleges and the British Medical Association is both sobering and timely. In summary, they caution that the relaxation of lockdown, particularly in England, carries dangers, and their language is clear: “While the future shape of the pandemic in the UK is hard to predict, the available evidence indicates that local flare-ups are increasingly likely and a second wave a real risk.”

Their caution echoes that of the chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, who senses problems on the way given the euphoria displayed in some quarters about “Independence Day” on 4 July and a coming disregard for social distancing and face coverings.

Prof Whitty was notably more downbeat than the prime minister: “If people hear a distorted version of what’s being said, that says ‘this is all fine now, it’s gone away’ and start behaving in ways that they normally would have before this virus happened, then, yes, we will get an uptick for sure.” The Sage group seems not to have endorsed the government’s plan, which may also explain why the administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast have not immediately followed suit. The two-metre rule will remain outside of England. Independent experts in public health have voiced even greater concerns.