UK Christmas is cancelled by surging mutant Covid strain
Deadly new virus strain in UK has sent infection rates soaring and put the world on high alert.
Christmas plans for millions of UK families are in chaos after tougher coronavirus restrictions were introduced to contain a more infectious strain of the virus.
Boris Johnson unveiled tier 4 restrictions for London, the southeast and parts of eastern England that will prevent 16.4 million people from mixing indoors over the festive period.
The decision to scrap the planned relaxation of Covid rules for Christmas was blamed on the spread of the mutant strain, which has sent infection rates spiralling.
Minsters alerted the World Health Organisation to the outbreak and expect other countries to stop UK residents from passing through their borders.
The strain, VUI2020/12/01, is thought to account for the majority of new infections in London, where intensive care units are already operating at full or nearly full capacity, and non-essential outpatient care is being cancelled.
The prime minister said he understood how important Christmas was to people, but warned that without action “infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed, and many thousands more would lose their lives.”
He said: “When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence. And as your prime minister, I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me.”
The chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, said the mutant strain did not appear to cause higher death rates or be any more resistant to Covid-19 vaccines but was up to 70 per cent more infectious.
Asked what he would say to people who were hastily packing a bag, trying to escape the capital for Christmas, Whitty said: “Please unpack it.”
Mark Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, said the whole of the principality would fall into the new tier with three million people told to stay at home.
Nicola Sturgeon announced a travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK, saying movement across the border “for all but the most essential purposes is not permitted”.
The first minister said mainland Scotland would move into tier 4 restrictions for three weeks from Boxing Day.
The latest restrictions came into force at midnight, with all non- essential shops, including hairdressers, indoor leisure centres and cinemas, closed with immediate effect.
Johnson said social gatherings would be limited to meeting one person from another household in public outdoor areas.
The exceptions are for support bubbles, childcare and separated parents, as well as communal worship.
For the rest of England, the lifting of restrictions to allow up to three households to mix over the festive period will be limited to Christmas Day. People are cautioned against visiting tier 4 areas and banned from overnight stays.
The latest UK-wide figures show 3,050 people have died over the past week having received positive Covid-19 results, with more than 173,000 people testing positive.
Analysis by scientists on the advisory group on new and emerging respiratory virus threats suggests the new variant could increase the R (reproduction) number by 0.4 or more.
Johnson said: “Yes, Christmas this year will be different, very different, but we must be realistic. We’re sacrificing the chance to see our loved ones this Christmas so we have a better chance of protecting their lives, so we can see them at future Christmases.”
The measures will be reviewed on December 30, although the prime minister hinted that tough restrictions were likely to remain in place well into the new year. He said: “[People] must not break the rules at new year. It’s very, very important to emphasise that.”
No 10 said there would be a significant police presence to prevent people from breaking the rules and celebrating New Year’s Eve with mass gatherings.
Only last week, the UK prime minister said it would be “inhumane” to scrap plans to relax Covid-19 restrictions over the festive period between December 23 and 27. However, he changed tack after two meetings of the Covid-19 operations committee on Friday night and yesterday (Saturday). The decision was ratified at an emergency cabinet meeting.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: “Millions of families will be heartbroken by having Christmas plans ripped up.” He said that, only three days ago, Johnson had told people to have a “merry little Christmas”.
Parliament is in recess, meaning there will be no vote on the measures. But in a sign of a potential rebellion to come, Mark Harper, who chairs the Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs, said: “We must end the devastating cycle of repeated restrictions and lockdowns, recapture the public’s support and confidence and start living in a sustainable way again.”
No 10 sources said they expected other countries to ban Britons, mirroring action taken after a mutant strain was identified in Denmark. People in tier 4 will be banned from holidaying abroad.