Relaxing physical distancing and school closures in Wuhan too soon could fuel a second wave of Covid-19 infections later in the year, scientists have said. A study published in
the Lancet suggests lifting restrictions in March would lead to a surge in case numbers that would peak in August. It predicts that maintaining the restrictions until April would delay a second peak until October, which would relieve pressure on health services in the intervening months. The study serves as a reminder that there is no quick and easy exit strategy from the lockdowns that many countries have imposed.