Calls for extension of EU transition period as Brexit deadline passes with no progress
Tonight s deadline for a deal set by the European Parliament passed with no sign of progress as many countries imposed a travel ban on the UK
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Tighter lockdowns across Britain on fears of new coronavirus variant
On
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that a new lockdown is to be imposed in London and parts of south and eastern England due to concerns about a new variant of the coronavirus.
“When the virus changes its method of attack, we have to change our method of defence,” said Johnson during the press conference.
The new coronavirus variant is thought to be spreading rapidly in the region and is said to be 70 per cent more transmissible, the Press Association reported Johnson as saying.
Boris Johnson is announcing dramatic strengthening of Covid-19 advice in South East England tonight
London and a swathe of the home counties are being plunged into a draconian new Tier 4 from midnight
He called emergency Cabinet meeting today on how to contain mutant strain ripping through the region
Scientists have warned the variant is 50 per cent more contagious than any strain previously detected
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has pushed for tighter restrictions all week as concerns continue to grow
“So have yourselves a merry little Christmas - and I’m afraid this year I do mean little,” the Prime Minister said at a Downing Street news conference.
“A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas,” he added.
In a sobering warning, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty forecast that the looser rules will lead to a higher coronavirus death rate.
“This is not a moment to relax - quit the reverse,” Prof Whitty said.
“Any kind of period where people come together in groups that otherwise wouldn’t meet leads to an increase in risks and that will lead to an increase in hospitalisations and deaths.