Covid-19: Europe wave will ‘wash up on UK shores’ & global covid snapshotÂ
UK/EU VACCINE ROW: UPDATE
Boris Johnson said he had talked to his EU counterparts “repeatedly” in recent months.Â
“I’m reassured by talking to EU partners over the last few months that they don’t want to see blockades,” he said.Â
Over the weekend,Ursula von der Leyen threatened the EU could stop vaccine exports to the UK over a row with vaccine maker AstraZeneca.Â
But Mr Johnson said the talks had centred on how “we’re facing the same pandemic”.
“We all have the same problems. I think it’s one thing that was stressed,” he said.Â
PM SAYS UK WILL BE AFFECTED BY EUROPE SPIKE IN INFECTIONS
As other European countries start to see spikes in infections, the PM has said the UK is likely to be affected too.Â
“People in this country should be under no illusions that previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, it, I’m afraid, washes up on our shores as well,” he said.
“And I expect that we will feel those effects in due course.”
The PM added Britain is trying to get jabs done “as fast as we can” to limit the impact.
UK MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
Tomorrow marks 1 year since the UK’s first lockdown. Since then, more than 100,000 people have died and millions have been infected with the virus. There have been three national lockdowns, mass job losses and a change to our normal lives.Â
The Speakers of both Houses of Parliament will be leading a minute’s silence at midday tomorrow to mark the anniversary as part of a national day of reflection.Â
“None of us has escaped the ordeal of COVID-19 – from the shock of having our liberty taken away, to the heartbreak of losing someone we loved,” said Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.Â
COVID-19: EUROPE NEWSÂ
European countries are seeing their third wave of covid-19 cases and some have moved to enforce new restrictions.Â
GERMANY – Due to a rise in cases, Germany will likely have to apply an “emergency brake” on relaxing restrictions, with measures reimposed in some regions.Â
FRANCEÂ – soaring cases have forced France to reintroduce coronavirus lockdowns in 16 areas, including Paris, for four weeks.Â
ITALY – a total shutdown is planned across the country from 3 to 5 April, with people told to stay at home and leave only for essential reasons. More than half the country is already under restrictions imposed earlier this month.
GREECE –Â people cannot travel outside their area of residence, and there is a curfew in place from 9pm local time during the week and from 7pm at weekends.
POLAND – a three-week lockdown is under way with non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities closed, following a jump in infection rates.
SPAIN – the country is under an overnight nationwide curfew until May, although other restrictions vary across the regions. Infection rates had been falling but they are starting to rise again.
GlOBAL COVID-19 SNAPSHOT
Today’s latest global Covid-19 news:Â
- India has reported its highest COVID-19 cases and deaths in months with 46,951 new infections and 212 deaths – largely in Maharashtra stateÂ
- The Philippines also reported a record daily rise in cases with 8,019 infections recorded today
- France can expect to return to some form of “normal” living by summer or autumn, according to the country’s vaccination chief
- Thailand has started human trials of its own coronavirus vaccine, which it hopes to roll out next year
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