UK’s Johnson warns of more lockdown measures as virus soars
Associated PressLONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Sunday that more onerous lockdown restrictions in England are likely in the coming weeks as the country reels from a new coronavirus variant that has pushed infection rates to their highest recorded levels. “We are entirely reconciled to do what it takes to get the virus under control, that may involve tougher measures in the weeks ahead,” Johnson said in an interview with the BBC. “We’ll review it and we have the prospect of vaccines coming down the tracks in their tens of millions, offering people literally life and hope.” Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, urged Johnson to bring in further national restrictions in the next day or so though he stopped short of calling for the closure of schools as he said he didn’t want to “add to the chaos” that is likely to emerge on Monday. “”We can’t allow the prime minister to use up the next two or three weeks and then bring in a national lockdown which is inevitable.” Starmer also said it’s unavoidable that more schools will close and urged the government to come up with a plan both for students and for working parents.