Boris Johnson would extend total lockdown for new strain

The Boris Johnson Government is exploring the possibility of imposing total confinement on more regions of England to counteract a new strain of coronavirus that is spreading faster.

The ministers are considering applying the most restrictive measures, known as Level 4 and which force non-essential shops and entertainment venues to remain closed, to other regions, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ministers and scientific experts met Tuesday night after cases of the new strain of COVID-19 were identified outside London and south-east England, where total lockdown was imposed last weekend.

The Sun newspaper reported the meeting for the first time and said that an announcement about the new level designations could be made next Wednesday and would take effect from December 26, without specifying where it obtained the information.

Applying full lockdown more broadly will be a significant blow to Johnson. The prime minister has faced criticism for the way the government has handled the pandemic, recently for a U-turn in his plan to significantly loosen social distancing rules during Christmas. A surge in cases forced the switch, and now 16 million Britons have been asked to stay home.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sunday that the new strain of coronavirus is “out of control” and suggested that Level 4 regions of England will have to remain in total lockdown until the vaccine has been applied.

Speaking with Johnson at a news conference on Monday, Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance said more regions will face stricter restrictions with the new variant of the coronavirus likely to spread across the country.

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