UK Covid live: Boris Johnson to hold briefing amid fears over spread of Indian variant

Latest updates: prime minister to hold briefing as hospital bosses warn spread of Indian variant could lead to a new surge in infections

  • UK to allow ‘surge vaccination’ in Covid hotspots hit by Indian variant
  • Analysis: India variant could lead to serious third wave of Covid in UK
  • What can England do to combat the Indian Covid variant?
  • UK tourists can enter Portugal from Monday as Covid restriction ends
  • Global coronavirus updates – live

5.08pm BST

Following the meeting between Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Chequers, an Irish government statement said: “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister had constructive engagement across a number of issues, including the Covid-19 response, support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and the broader British-Irish relationship.

“Discussions focused on ways the two Governments can continue to work together to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and promote peace and prosperity on both a North/South and East/West basis.

5.00pm BST

Sturgeon has told MSPs that “pressing pause” would ensure that coronavirus measures would not have to be reimposed at a later date.

Announcing that both Moray and Glasgow will remain in Level 3 even as the rest of the country moves to Level 2 on Monday, the first minister said:

I know how disappointing this will be, but pressing pause for a few days will hopefully avoid a situation in which we have to impose even more restrictive measures over the next few weeks.

Continue reading…

source: theguardian.com