British Prime Minister, BORIS JOHNSON has made his first public appearance since being hospitalized with corona virus three weeks ago.

In a statement in Downing Street marking his return to work, JOHNSON apologized for being away “for much longer than he would have liked”.

He thanked the British people for heeding a month of stay-at-home orders, which have helped stem the spread of COVID-19.

The Prime Minister warned that now is not the time to ease the lockdown while acknowledging the concerns of many businesses.

JOHNSON added that Britain was beginning to “turn the tide” on the outbreak but rejected growing calls to ease a nationwide lockdown.