A sea of Londoners at St Pancras train station flooded the tarmac moments before British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backtracked on his promise to ease Covid-19 restrictions for the Christmas and New Year period, but instead tightened government measures.
"It is with a very heavy heart I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned,” Johnson said at a news conference on Saturday. “I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me.”
Johnson who on Wednesday said it would be "inhuman" to ban Christmas now says the rising number of Covid-19 infections and a new mutation of the virus that makes it spread more aggressively, forced him to break his promise in allowing British residents more freedom to socialize during the festive season.
“We have alerted the World Health Organization,” England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said, adding, “There is no current evidence to suggest the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments although urgent work is underway to confirm this.”
According to the new restrictions, people all over the country will be required to stay at home execept for essential workers and to acquire food and medical treatment.
Johnson's' announced came as Britain recorded 27,052 new infections on Saturday along with 534 deaths.
By: Niza Nondo
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