Published December 22, 2020, 10:39 AM Vaccines effective against new virus strain – German health minister LONDON, United Kingdom — UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the new strain of the coronavirus is “out of control” and suggested parts of England will be stuck in the new, highest tier of restrictions until a vaccine is rolled out. (Photo by ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) With this development, the UK plunged into Christmas chaos with police blocking people from boarding packed trains, holidays abroad scrapped and travel with Europe banned after London went into an emergency lockdown. More than 16 million Britons are now required to stay at home after a lockdown came into force Sunday in London and southeast England.