Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

PM Johnson hints at stricter restrictions as COVID-19 cases hit record levels

PM Johnson hints at stricter restrictions as COVID-19 cases hit record levels
Mounted Police officers attempt to disperse crowds gathered near Westminster Bridge on December 31, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday tougher lockdown restrictions were probably on the way as COVID-19 cases keep rising, but that schools were safe and children should continue to attend where permitted.

COVID-19 cases in Britain are at record levels and the increase in numbers is fuelled by a new and more transmissible variant of the virus. The government has cancelled the planned reopening of schools in and around London but teaching unions want wider closures.


Much of England is already living under the toughest level of restriction under a four-tier system of regional regulations designed to stop the spread of the virus and protect the NHS.

But, asked in a BBC interview about concerns that the system may not be enough to bring the virus under control, Johnson said restrictions "alas, might be about to get tougher".

"There are obviously a range of tougher measures that we would have to consider ... I'm not going to speculate now about what they would be," he said.

The opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said Johnson must implement a national lockdown within the next 24 hours.

"What we've learnt is that the longer you delay the difficult decisions, the worse it is on the health front, the worse it is on the economic front," Starmer told reporters.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said her cabinet would meet on Monday to discuss possible further steps to limit the spread of the virus, and ordered Scotland's parliament to be recalled.

Britain recorded 54,990 new cases of the virus on Sunday and has registered more than 75,000 deaths from the pandemic.

The government's response has been heavily criticised. But the rollout of vaccines is set to accelerate on Monday with the first 530,000 doses of the newly approved Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines ready to be administered, Johnson said.

He hoped "tens of millions" would be treated over the next three months.

Millions of pupils are due to return from their Christmas holidays on Monday, and Johnson advised parents to send their children to school in areas where rules allow it.

"There is no doubt in my mind that schools are safe, and that education is a priority," he said.

Some local authorities and unions have warned against reopening schools and have threatened to act against government advice. Others say closures also have a big negative impact on students.

"We must renew and maintain the consensus that children’s time out of school should be kept to the absolute minimum," Amanda Spielman, chief schools inspector, wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

More for you

Senedd passes HFSS food display rules in Wales for 2025

Senedd passes new rules on HFSS foods promotion

Photo: iStock

Senedd passes new HFSS rules

New rules about how and where foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) can be promoted and displayed in larger shops and online have been passed by the Senedd.

The regulations are designed to prevent impulse purchases and over-consumption and expected to help to tackle the growing problem of obesity in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Victoria Lockie, Unitas Wholesale retail director, speaking at an industry event.

Victoria Lockie leaves Unitas for a new adventure.

Unitas

Victoria Lockie to leave Unitas

Unitas Wholesale retail director and executive board member Victoria Lockie is to leave the business in April as she looks to take on a new challenge, the buying group confirmed to Asian Trader today (27).

Lockie joined the business in September 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brian Eagle Brown with new ShopMate 360 EPoS solution

Brian Eagle Brown with new ShopMate 360 EPoS solution

ShopMate unveils new EPoS solution for convenience retailers

ShopMate has introduced ShopMate 360, a “streamlined and affordable” EPoS system designed for convenience retailers.

ShopMate said the new solution ihas been developed with small retailers in mind, offering an easy-to-use till interface that requires minimal training. With an intuitive design, even those new to retail technology can quickly get up to speed, ensuring smooth daily operations.

Keep ReadingShow less