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Summary
- Boris Johnson has imposed the third lockdown in the UK owing to rising COVID-19 cases.
- In the light of the UK lockdown, PM Johnson cancelled his trip to visit India scheduled on 26 January 2021.
- The India trip may take place during the first half of 2021 before the G7 summit.
New Year 2021 is full of hope with COVID-19 vaccine developments getting around, but it has not started on a good note, especially for the UK.
In a televised address, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has instructed approximately 56 million people in England to revert to a full coronavirus lockdown. Britain wrestles with one of the feeblest mortality rates from coronavirus internationally. Quite evidently, a lockdown seems to be the most necessary choice to cut the spiralling infection rates.
© Kalkine Group 2020
Boris Johnson Cancels India Trip
PM Johnson was scheduled to visit India on 26 January 2021 to be part of India’s Republic Day celebrations.
However, with the pandemic raging across the UK, he cancelled his visit in light of the national lockdown. PM Johnson also believes that it is essential for him to remain in the country to concentrate on the domestic retort to the fast-spreading virus.
Meanwhile, there are indications that PM Johnson’s India visit would take place during the first half of this year. It would occur prior to the G7 summit (planned for later this year) presided over by the UK. Notably, India PM Narendra Modi is due to attend the G7 summit as a guest.
The UK Enters Third Lockdown
The UK has been among the worst hit in the world by the outbreak, with close to 2.7 million cases and 75k deaths, as per the UK Government details.
The country began its third COVID-19 lockdown on 5 January 2021. Few media reports suggest that this lockdown has been initially planned up until mid-February 2021.
Citizens have been ordered to stay at home. The Government is also planning new curbs on intercontinental flights to slash infections. Schools have also been instructed to remain shut.
Meanwhile, the Government is calling for one last key national effort to curb the virus before bulk vaccinations turn the tide.
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A New Virus Strain?
More worryingly, a new coronavirus variant is spreading fast and is associated with the spike in the cases across the UK. The surge of this new strain of the virus, being referred to as VUI (Variant Under Investigation) and even B.1.1.7, is said to be more infectious and threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
© Kalkine Group 2020
Since its initial detection in the UK in December 2021, the mutant coronavirus has spread to as many as 30 nations.
Preliminary analysis indicates that the new virus strain is more transmissible than formerly circulating variants. However, investigations continue to understand the virus and its repercussions better.
ALSO READ: New Covid strain: UK economy to slow down further
