With lockdown continuing and the UK government giving us little insight into when we might see an ease in the restrictions in place, the World Health Organisation has given six criteria that countries need to meet.

As long as the countries see lower cases thanks to social distancing measures, they will be able to follow a controlled, strategic approach to getting a bit of normality back in our lives.

Guidance from the WHO following its briefing on Monday 13 April says that countries easing restrictions must meet the following points:

1. The transmission is controlled – this means that numbers of new cases have stopped spiking

2. Health systems have capacities in place to detect capacities are in place to detect, test, isolate and treat every COVID-19 case and trace every contact.

3. Outbreak risks are minimised in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes

4. Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other places where it’s essential for people to go

5. Importation risks can be managed

6. Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the ‘new norm’

But countries where numbers have begun to stabilise are being warned not to think that the worst is over, and restrictions should be lifted slowly and carefully.

Michael J. Ryan, Chief Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said: “Now is the time for vigilance.”

To avoid a resurgence in cases, goenrments are urged to make these changes gradually.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Technical Lead of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said: “It may be a little bit longer that you have to remain at home.

She added: “Not lifting all at once is very critical so that we can get people back to work, get these economies going back again as quickly as possible.”

Measures like social distancing and continued handwashing must also stay in place, even when lockdowns are

Ryan continued: “We are going to have to change our behaviors for the foreseeable future”

“As we come out of these lockdown situations, we may see a jump back up of cases. And we don’t want to lurch from lockdown to nothing.”

He added: “Now is the time to double down. Now is the time to be very, very careful.”

You’ve got this, LADs – let’s all carry on doing our bit.