U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel did not rule out that the new lockdown will last into the summer, according to Bloomberg. The government stressed reinforcing compliance with current restrictions amid concerns that many people are flouting the rules.
- Johnson noted that the new coronavirus is “much more contagious” and that the U.K faces “tough few weeks ahead.”
- PM’s comments lower the chances of the U.K opening up the economy in the first half of March as some ministers suggested.
- The comments come even as the government announced 800 pounds or $1,097 fines for those attending house parties
- U.K ministers are also considering making 500-pound or $683 payments to individuals who test positive for COVID-19 to encourage more to come forward for testing.
- Johnson is under pressure from members of his Conservative Party wanting him to lay a plan to ease the lockdown as soon as the government meets its target to vaccinate 15 million most vulnerable people
U.K. stocks and the pound are currently declining. FTSE 100 is down 0.87%, GBPUSD is down 0.43%
