'Alarming' Covid variant in UK could yield tougher restrictions: Report

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he was anxious to avoid another lockdown in the UK due to the coronavirus crisis.

London, United Kingdom - Britain's government on Monday said a rise in new infections might be partly linked to the new variant.

By Reuters

Published: Sat 19 Dec 2020, 1:48 AM

Last updated: Sat 19 Dec 2020, 4:15 AM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called senior ministers to an unscheduled meeting on Friday evening to discuss how to contain a new, more virulent variant of the coronavirus, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

The newspaper said there was 'alarming new evidence' of the variant in the UK.

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An emergency toughening of Covid-19 restrictions could be announced as soon as Saturday, possibly including restrictions on travel between the south east of England, including London, and the rest of the country, the newspaper said.

A spokesman for the prime minister said he was unable to comment on the report immediately.

Britain's government on Monday said a rise in new infections might be partly linked to the new variant as it moved its capital city and other areas into the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Telegraph also reported on Friday that government officials expected the AstraZeneca-Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine would clear regulatory approval on December 28 or 29, helping to accelerate the vaccination campaign.

Johnson said on Friday he hoped that England would not need to go into a third lockdown after Christmas.