* Gradual unwrapping of lockdown
* Johnson defends decision on schools
* Criticism of decisions in Conservatives
(Adds further comment, criticism)
LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson warned parliament on Wednesday that ending England's
latest lockdown would require a "gradual unwrapping" over time,
pledging that schools would be the "very first things to
reopen".
Addressing parliament before lawmakers vote on the measures
introduced earlier this week, Johnson defended his decision to
implement the new lockdown at the time he did, saying the new,
more contagious, coronavirus variant offered little choice.
Trying to head off criticism that his decision to close
primary schools a day after he told them they should open,
Johnson said he did "everything in our power to keep them open"
until "every other option had been closed off".
"And when we begin to move out of lockdown I promise they
will be the very first things to reopen. That moment may come
after the February half-term, although we should remain
extremely cautious about the timetable ahead," he said.
"And as was the case last spring, our emergence from the
lockdown cocoon will be not a big bang but a gradual
unwrapping."
Britain has been among the countries worst-hit by COVID-19,
with the highest death toll in Europe. With the appearance of
the new variant, it has seen case numbers repeatedly reach
record highs, stretching the country's health service.
Johnson, who has been criticised for being too slow to
introduce strict regulations in the first wave of the
coronavirus pandemic, is not expected to face a large rebellion
from his Conservative Party in the vote on the lockdown.
But his seeming reluctance to introduce tougher measures to
combat surging cases and his mixed messages on whether to open
primary schools have prompted criticism, not only in the
opposition Labour Party but also among Conservatives.
Some in his party are also critical of any "draconian"
restrictions, demanding that they are removed as quickly as
possible. But Johnson was cautious about any time lines.
He said the legislation would run until March 31 "not
because we expect the full national lockdown to continue until
then, but to allow a steady, controlled and evidence-led move
down through the tiers on a regional basis".
(Reporting by William James and Elizabeth Piper, editing by
Estelle Shirbon)