Coronavirus: Britain could delay easing of lockdown over variant identified in India, says Boris Johnson

The health ministry said the B1.617.2 variant, first detected in India, is ‘beginning to spread increasingly rapidly’ in northwest England

The government last month added India, which is experiencing a devastating wave of deaths from Covid-19, to a travel red list

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A public health digital board warns the public of a Covid-19 variant of concern affecting the community in Bolton, England on Friday. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:18am, 15 May 2021Updated: 11:03am, 16 May 2021

A rise in cases of a coronavirus variant first identified in India could “pose serious disruption” to Britain’s reopening plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday.

England will take the next step of reopening on Monday as planned, but the final stage, currently scheduled for June 21, could be in doubt.

“I do not believe we need to delay our road map,” said Johnson.

Britain’s PM Boris Johnson gives an update on the pandemic inside the new Downing Street Briefing Room in London, UK on Friday. Photo: AFP

But, “this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress”, he said. “We will do whatever it takes to keep the public safe.”

The health ministry said the B1.617.2 variant is “beginning to spread increasingly rapidly” in northwest England and to a lesser extent in London, “and decisive action is being taken to further control its spread”.