Today: 7 October 2025
9 March 2021
1 min read

Boris: Increased Risk of COVID-19 Spread Unavoidable

As millions of children returned to classrooms across England, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the increased risk of coronavirus transmission is “inevitable”.

“We do accept, of course, there will be increased risk of transmission, that’s inevitable,” Johnson said at a press briefing at Downing Street on Monday.

But he added that “the greater risk is keeping children out of school longer”, reports Xinhua news agency.

As part of Johnson’s long-anticipated “roadmap” to exit the lockdown, schools reopened on Monday morning

The reopening of schools is the first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said on February 22 was designed to be “cautious but irreversible”.

Under the guidance, two people are allowed for recreation in an outdoor public space such as a park, which means they would be allowed to sit down for a coffee, drink or picnic.

England is expected to see all legal social restrictions being removed from June 21.

At Monday’s briefing, Johnson said the government can take the first step of easing lockdown with “confidence” because a third of the entire British population has now been vaccinated.

“At all times, we will be driven by the data,” he added.

Joining Johnson at the briefing, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jenny Harries acknowledged the impact of opening schools on the virus transmission.

“We do expect there to be an impact on R, but education is of critical public health importance,” she said, referring to the coronavirus reproduction number.

More than 22.3 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

Still, Johnson urged continued vigilance with the public as infections remain high.

“With the number of patients being admitted to hospital with Covid still eight times higher than the lows of last summer, it’s more vital than ever to follow the rules.”

Previous Story

Over 9% of US Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Next Story

Court of Appeal to Decide Trial of Nazir Ahmed, Brothers In Sexual Abuse Case

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop