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A new strain of mutated virus has caused the infection to spread rapidly in various parts of the UK.
Analyzes show that the spread has been particularly large in London and south-east England, and more restrictions are now being introduced in the regions to stop the spread of the infection.
Must stay home
Areas that were previously included in what is called Risk 3 will now be upgraded to Risk 4, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.
– Residents in the areas must stay at home and not travel outside their areas. Gyms and other nonessential businesses should close and anyone who can should work from home, Johnson said.
The restrictions also mean that residents can only meet one person outside their home and then outdoors.
“With a heavy heart”
Boris Johnson also urged all residents to limit their travel.
– We ask everyone not to travel outside their cities and preferably not abroad. Those who live in areas subject to Level 4 restrictions cannot travel abroad, Johnson said.
Those who live in Level 4 areas cannot hang out with people outside of their home during Christmas. In other areas, three other households only apply on Christmas Day, instead of five days as noted above.
– With a heavy heart I announce that we cannot celebrate Christmas as planned, said Boris Johnson and continued:
– I know how much excitement you invest in Christmas and how important it is that dad and grandparents meet their grandchildren and that families get together. I know this is a disappointment, but we must stick to science.
Not believed to affect vaccination
According to Boris Johnson and British government scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, there is no evidence that the new strain of the virus causes more serious illness or more deaths than the regular covid-19 strain.
The effect of the vaccine is also not believed to be affected.
“There is no indication that the vaccine does not bite this new strain of virus,” Vallance said at the news conference.
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