Tougher measures will be enforced in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, the prime minister has said.
Boris Johnson said there were “tough, tough” weeks ahead in the UK’s fight against Covid-19.
He added: “If you look at the numbers there’s no question we will have to take tougher measures and we will be announcing those in due course.”
Johnson spoke during a visit to Chase Farm Hospital in north London today.
The PM said the government “will do everything we can to keep the virus under control”, but also added: “I must stress at this critical moment it is so vital that people keep disciplined.”
Johnson said large numbers of people were following the rules and that he recognised some were becoming frustrated with the continuing restrictions.
“I think the public have been fantastic in the way they have tried to follow the guidance,” the PM added.
His comments about further measures, made as the national rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine got under way, come in the wake of significant new restrictions already being introduced in recent weeks.
On Sunday, the UK recorded more than 50,000 new confirmed Covid cases for the sixth day in a row.
Labour is calling for new England-wide restrictions to come in immediately.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer also said it was “inevitable” more schools would have to close to lessen the spread of coronavirus.
Calling for a national lockdown within 24 hours because COVID-19 is “clearly out of control”.
