Today: 31 July 2025
22 January 2021
1 min read

Boris refuses to rule out lockdown until Summer

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that it was “too early to say when restrictions will be lifted” as coronavirus infections in the country continue to remain high.

“We’ve got to observe the lockdown, the stay at home message, protect each other and protect the NHS (National Health Service). It’s absolutely crucial in what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead,” he said on Thursday during a visit to the Greater Manchester area hit by heavy flooding.

Johnson said figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other studies showed clearly that the new coronavirus variant, which was first discovered in the country late last year, is very contagious, reports Xinhua news agency.

“It is not more deadly but it is more contagious and the numbers are very great,” he said.

Meanwhile, Johnson’s spokesman told journalists at a Westminster briefing that the UK government continues to keep all of the scientific evidence and data under review regarding the decision to lift lockdown.

“It remains our position that we want to ease restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, but in order for us to do that we need to see the transmission rates of the virus come down and we need to see the pressure on the NHS reduce,” said the spokesman.

Ministers “stand ready to strengthen our border policy where we think it’s appropriate to protect the public”, he said when asked about reports suggesting people coming to the UK could be required to pay to stay in a hotel for two weeks while they quarantine.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, the country’s Covid-19 death toll surpassed the grim milestone of 90,000.

As of Friday morning, the UK has registered a total of 3,553,773 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 94,765 deaths.

Also Read-Peru prepares for general elections in April

Previous Story

‘It’s what people need, what the country needs’

Next Story

EU agrees to consider further restrictions

Latest from -Top News

Netanyahu Blasts UK Over Palestine Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his plan to recognise the State of Palestine, accusing him of rewarding “monstrous terrorism” of Hamas. “Starmer rewards Hamas’s

India, Syria Eye Closer Ties

In addition to the meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister, the Indian delegation also held discussions with Syrian Health Minister Musab Al-Ali on Monday….reports Asian Lite News An Indian delegation, currently on

Syria Needs Order, Says UN Envoy

Pedersen expressed concern about credible reports of widespread violations and abuses in Sweida, including summary executions…reports Asian Lite News UN Syria Envoy Geir Pedersen urged interim authorities to act with professionalism and

Killing Fields of Gaza

While Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue to dominate global headlines after hundreds of days of conflict, a parallel and equally devastating crisis is unfolding — one that receives far less attention: deepening

Palestine: UK MPs Urge PM to Emulate France

Global condemnation has been growing over Israel’s blockade of most aid with reports of starvation and widespread malnutrition in Gaza Keir Starmer has confirmed the government will be “taking forward” plans to
Go toTop