UK To Extend Lockdown One Month As Indian Variant Spooks Officials Into Vaccine Scramble teaser image Just four more weeks!

[link to www.zerohedge.com (secure)]



UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to delay the country's "freedom day" from lockdowns by just under one month - from June 21 to July 19 - after the 'Delta variant' COVID-19 strain from India exploded 240% in one week, as was first reported by The Sun, and later confirmed by the Financial Times via comments by England's Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitley, who requested the delay.

Under plans drawn up to be announced on Monday, a two-week review will be included meaning Covid restrictions could be dropped on July 5 if hospitalisations stay down.

But multiple sources told the Sun the chances of lifting restrictions as planned on June 21 were close to zero - in a massive blow to Wembley hosting of the Euros.

Group games will have a 25 per cent stadium cap - 22,500 fans - with that hopefully rising to around 45,000 for the Semis and the July 11 Final.


Downing Street was reportedly spooked after cases of the Indian variant began to spike last week - as Public Health England says infections have risen from 12,431 last week to 42,323 - a jump of 240%. The new variant is 2/3 more likely to spread via close contacts, as cases have more than tripled in the last 11 days. Doubling rates for the Delta variant were as high as 4.5 days in some parts of England, with 96% of new cases attributed to the new strain.