The rapid transmission of a recently discovered variant of Covid-19 in London and nearby areas prompted UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday to subject the capital to similar restrictions that were imposed under the nationwide lockdown in November, while the Relaxations allowed for Christmas have been canceled. .
The new variant, he said, was no less lethal than the original version and there is no evidence that a vaccine is less effective against it; but he added that there is much that is unknown about it.
The World Health Organization has been informed of the development.
Johnson announced the creation of a new level, Level 4, in the Covid-19 alert system, under which cities and areas of England are located. London has been in the upper Level 3 with the strictest restrictions, but has gone further in Level 4 similar to the lockdown.
Curbs are effective from Sunday morning through December 30.
Johnson said in a televised briefing from Downing Street: “There is still a lot we don’t know. While we’re pretty sure the variant spreads faster, there’s no evidence to suggest it’s more lethal or causes more serious disease. Similarly, there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will be less effective against the new variant.
“Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding of the variant. So we learn more about this variant as we go along. But we already know enough to be sure that we must act now.
“First, we will introduce new restrictions in the worst affected areas, specifically those parts of London, South East and East of England that are currently at level 3. These areas will enter a new level 4, which will be generally equivalent to the national restrictions that were in effect in England in November. “
Life under Level 4 in London and the South East of England starting Sunday morning will be similar to closing, which includes people staying at home, unless they move in for allowable exemptions; close non-retail stores, gyms and leisure facilities; Work from home; people should not travel outside of Level 4 areas.
The Health Secretary announced the discovery of the variant in parliament on Monday, while Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, gave more details on the variant identified by Public Health England’s genomic surveillance. According to Whitty, this is a “critical and dangerous moment.”
Whitty added: “As a result of the rapid spread of the new variant, preliminary modeling data, and rapidly increasing incidence rates in the Southeast, the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threat Advisory Group (NERVTAG) now considers the new strain can spread more quickly.
“We have alerted the WHO and we continue to analyze the available data to improve our understanding. There is no current evidence to suggest that the new strain causes a higher death rate or affects vaccines and treatments, although work is urgently underway to confirm this. “
Johnson said Christmas this year “will be very different,” adding that people of all skill levels should not travel, which will affect travel to meet families during the holiday period.
The curbs come days after he announced the relaxations for Christmas, which are now phased out.
“As Prime Minister, it is my duty to make the tough decisions, to do the right thing to protect the people of this country. Given the preliminary evidence we have on this new variant of the virus and the potential risk it poses, I must say with great regret that we cannot continue with Christmas as planned, ”Johnson said.
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