Boris Johnson has warned that the new variant of coronavirus that emerged in the UK is not only more infectious but, according to new data, may also be 30 per cent more deadly.
While there were promising signs that the second Covid-19 wave has peaked in Britain, the prime minister warned that new variants of the virus posed a serious risk.
Mr Johnson said he was ready to take “further measures” to tighten controls at Britain borders to stop a South African strain reaching the country, which might be less susceptible to vaccines.
Ministers will next week meet to consider a requirement for arrivals in Britain to quarantine in hotels. “We may need to go further to protect our borders,” Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference.
The ominous note struck by Mr Johnson was accompanied by more encouraging data suggesting the national lockdown is working. The R number is now 0.8-1.0, meaning infections are declining by between 1 and 4 per cent every day.