Boris Johnson on January 13.
Photographer: Ben Stansall / AFP / Getty Images
Photographer: Ben Stansall / AFP / Getty Images
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there are signs that the national coronavirus blockade is working, but he warned that it is still “early” and that people should follow the rules.
He did not rule out tightening restrictions, if necessary, but told the House of Commons that existing rules may be starting to help reduce infections. England is in the second week of its third national blockade, with schools closed to most students and people forced to stay home.
“We are now seeing the beginning of some signs that this is beginning to have an effect in many parts of the country, but by no means everywhere,” Johnson said on Wednesday. “It is still early and people must maintain their discipline, continue to apply the rules and work together to implement the vaccine program.”
UK rule breakers face crackdown as Covid Swamps hospitals
The prime minister said the rules are being kept under “constant review”, but made it clear that he wants the country to get out of the blockade as soon as possible. “No one can doubt the serious damage caused by the blockade to people’s mental health, jobs and livelihoods,” he said.
Johnson also confirmed that the government is working to provide coronavirus vaccines 24 hours a day, telling lawmakers, “We will be working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as soon as we can.”
This seemed to contradict his own official spokesman, who told reporters earlier this week that “there is no clamor” for appointments overnight. Mass vaccination centers are currently open from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.