Social distancing measures will need to be in place until "at least most of a year" in order to bring an end to the coronavirus pandemic, scientists have advised the UK government, per the Independent.

Earlier this week, scientists put together a report stating that controlling the spread of the disease, and preventing critical care cases from overwhelming the UK's National Health Service would be reliant on long-term social distancing measures.

This is the controversial moment actress Vanessa Hudgens called the prospect of social distancing until July a "bunch of bullsh*t":

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The report states, per the Independent:

“It was agreed that a policy of alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures could plausibly be effective at keeping the number of critical care cases within capacity. These would need to be in place for at least most of a year. Under such a policy, at least half of the year would be spent under the stricter social distancing measures.”

It added that "triggers" for the measures to be imposed could vary depending on the region in the UK.

Empty shelves in a Tesco store in Kent as shoppers stockpile basic consumer goods for fears of a potential quarantine due to an outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 20, 2020 in London, UK. (Photo by Robin Pope/NurPhoto) [[imagecaption|| Credit: PA]]

It continued: “There would be a 2-3 week delay between measures being put into place and their impact being felt in [intensive care units].”

“It was agreed that it is unclear whether or not the addition of general social distancing measures to case isolation, household isolation and social distancing of vulnerable groups would curtail the epidemic.

It was agreed that the addition of both general social distancing and school closures to case isolation, household isolation and social distancing of vulnerable groups would be likely to control the epidemic when kept in place for a long period. [It was] agreed that this strategy should be followed as soon as practical, at least in the first instance.”

In the United Kingdom, there are have been 2,716 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 138 deaths from the disease. On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK could “turn the tide of this disease” within 12 weeks and bring an end to the pandemic.

Social distancing measures need to go on for a year, chief experts suggest