New COVID-19 variant that is 70% more transmissible threatens UK. Sudden lockdown for London

New COVID-19 variant that is 70% more transmissible threatens UK. Sudden lockdown for London

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that London and parts of the South East and East of England will be entering into ‘Tier 4’ lockdown restrictions from Sunday morning.

The tougher restrictions, announced at short notice, are in response to the sudden emergence of a fast-spreading variant of COVID-19. The new variant of the virus is currently believed to be up to 70% more transmissible than the original strain.