Life is not expected to return to normal before 2022, according to the World Health Organisation(WHO).

The prediction came following a significant increase in the number of global cases, especially in Europe.

Life will not go baack to what it was before the coronavirus crisis and people will not be able to practice their activities normally before 2022, based on the current indications regarding the spreading of the virus, said the deputy director programs, Soumya Swaminathan, in a UN conference.

The vaccine is expected to be available next January and start distribution across the globe, he added.

However, the most realistic schedule places the launch of a COVID-19 vaccine sometime in mid 2021, he said.

Swaminathan said the vaccination development process will not happen as quickly as some imagine, rather they will need to keep wearing face masks and social distancing for a period of time after that. 

"We will need 60 to 70 percent of the population to have immunity against the virus before we start to see a significant reduction in transmission of this virus", added Swaminathan.