Coronavirus: Previous sufferers can catch new strain says expert

It looks set to be a memorable transition into 2021 with Britain’s departure from the EU coinciding with strict coronavirus lockdown measures. Protests relating to these major events would likely tie in with the more conventional celebrations if people choose to flout Covid rules.

Calls by the Metropolitan Police Federation to impose road blocks in central London follow remarks by Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s chief scientific adviser, who expects a spike in infections after an “inevitable period of mixing” over Christmas.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has told The Telegraph: “We have the potential for large numbers of people and disorder.

“That is what we are planning towards.

“Given it is Tier 4 and the rising Covid cases, these demonstrations should be banned.”

Twenty nine people were arrested and five police officers injured as a result of anti-lockdown protests in London on Saturday, which saw hundreds of people turn out.

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More than 40 countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Canada, Russia, India and Hong Kong, have banned UK flights to protect the public from the new virus strain.

Sir Patrick told a Downing Street briefing the virus mutation would cause more cases.

He said: “The evidence on this virus is that it spreads easily.

“It’s more transmissible. We absolutely need to make sure we have the right level of restrictions in place.”

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, has said people should anticipate strict lockdown rules until spring.

He told the Press Association: “We are all very realistic that this is not going to finish any time soon.

“As has been made fairly clear by the Prime Minister really we’re talking to spring time before we can really see things dramatically changing.”

Boris Johnson called an urgent meeting of his Cabinet on Saturday after a rise in cases of coronavirus.

A mutated strain of Covid-19 is believed to be behind the surge in the south east of England, where the R rate has soared to 1.4 in recent weeks.

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Boris Johnson placed large parts of the area into Tier 4 from December 20.

Mr Johnson said on Monday 500,000 people have had the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said the “sharp and sudden increase” in new cases on Sunday was of “serious concern”.

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