Britain could face harsh restrictions for many months to come, Boris Johnson and his chief scientists warned as figures suggested more than 1 million people in England are infected with coronavirus, or one in every 50. Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, warned some restrictions on normal life may still be necessary next winter. The figure was one in 45 for south-east England, eastern England and north-west England. Johnson claimed it might be possible to start relaxing the lockdown measures from February but conceded this “depends on a number of things”. Greg Clark, chair of the science and technology committee, which will quiz the vaccine minister, Nadhim Zahawi, next week, said it was vital the government met expectations this time around.

Source: The Guardian January 05, 2021 17:37 UTC