UK working as fast as possible to resolve border closures amid new Covid strain: Boris Johnson
AFP/London, United Kingdom
(Reuters)
PM said supply chains remained strong and robust despite fears over food shortages ahead of Christmas.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday sought to sound a note of calm saying he was working as fast as possible to unblock trade across the Channel after France shut its borders to UK hauliers in a bid to contain a new variant of the coronavirus.
Following conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron over the ban, which has caused chaos around the key UK port of Dover and led to concerns of food shortages just days before Christmas, Johnson said supply chains remained strong and robust .
An article published in The Guardian yesterday also states that people leaving or entering Tier 4 areas “without a reasonable excuse” will be fined by Police. There will also be additional patrols at railway stations to prevent non-essential travel.
The new Tier 4 restrictions also include the closure of non-essential retail, gyms and hospitality, and reinstating the “Stay at Home” message that was introduced during the first lockdown in March earlier this year.
On Saturday evening, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also announced that travel between Scotland and England was to be strictly limited, and could only take place with a “reasonable excuse,” which includes “travel to school, college or university.”
Dec 20, 2020 23:37 GMTFXStreet News
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has asked the UK’s PM Boris Johnson to go against his Tory party’s wishes and seek a Brexit transition period extension.
The request comes following further delays to any agreement with the EU on a Brexit deal where yet another pencilled-in deadline has been moved.
More on the latest weekend updates below:
Brexit update: EP will not now ratify a trade deal in 2020
Brexit update: EU and UK negotiating teams remain at loggerheads
GBP/USD implications
GBP/USD: Brexit woes, new covid strain hint bear’s return near 31-month high
Last Updated:
20th December, 2020 14:59 IST
COVID-19 New Variant: WHO Says In close Contact With UK To Learn More About The Virus
A new strain of coronavirus identified in the UK is up to 70% more infectious. WHO is in close contact with UK officials on the new Covid-19 virus variant
World Health Organization on Dec 19 announced that it was in close contact with the UK government to gain more information about the new coronavirus variant. Taking to its official Twitter handle, the organization wrote, We’re in close contact with UK officials on the new COVID19 virus variant. They’ll continue to share info and results of their analysis and ongoing studies . Further, WHO informed that it will update the Member States and the people as it learns more about this new mutated strand of the SARS-C0V-2 that has been reported in parts of England.
Lockdowns tightened across Britain over new coronavirus variant fears
Posted : 2020-12-20 15:32
Updated : 2020-12-21 12:34
Britain s Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a news conference in response to the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street, London, Britain, December 19, 2020. REUTERS-Yonhap
Lockdown rules in London and parts of south and eastern England have been tightened due to concerns about a new variant of the coronavirus, as Scotland and Wales took their own measures in response to the new strain. When the virus changes its method of attack, we have to change our method of defence, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press conference.