Boris Johnson effectively extends coronavirus blockade in the UK after delaying school reopening

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson effectively extended a national blockade against the coronavirus on Wednesday, after ruling out return to school for most students until at least March 8.

The blockade went into effect initially on January 5 and was set to last at least until mid-February in an effort to combat a variant of the coronavirus that was spreading rapidly in the region.

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But Johnson told lawmakers on Wednesday that the UK remains in a “dangerous situation” with more than 37,000 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, almost double the number during the country’s previous peak in April.

Johnson said that the students’ return date depends on the vaccination progress of the four most vulnerable groups with their first dose by February 15, and that he will launch a “roadmap” for “gradual and phased” relief from the restriction to coronavirus. week of February 22.

England’s schools are currently closed to all students except those considered vulnerable and the children of important workers, such as doctors and couriers. Schools are also closed in other UK nations – Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In addition to delaying returning to classrooms, Johnson confirmed new restrictions for travelers arriving in England from countries considered to be at high risk. Restrictions include a 10-day quarantine in hotels or other government-provided accommodation.

Britain is the fifth country in the world to record 100,000 deaths related to the virus, after the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico, and by far the smallest. The US recorded more than 400,000 deaths from COVID-19, the highest total in the world, but its population of around 330 million is about five times that of Britain.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.