By Michael Holden
LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson is expected to announce on Monday that the end of
COVID-19 restrictions will be delayed following concern about
the rapid rise of infections of the Delta variant of the
coronavirus.
Under a roadmap outlined by Johnson back in February, the
government signalled all social restrictions imposed to control
the spread of the disease would be lifted "no earlier" than
June 21, when pubs, clubs and other hospitality venues could
fully reopen.
But, in recent weeks there has been a fast growth again in
the number of new cases caused by the Delta variant, first
discovered in India, which health officials believe to be 60%
more transmissible than the previous dominant strain and
scientists warn could trigger a third wave of infections.
Johnson has refused to deny suggestions in the British media
that the end of lockdown would be delayed by up to a month,
saying in recent days there was "serious concern" about rising
infections and hospitalisations.
"We're continuing to look at the data, no final decision has
been taken and the right time to fill everybody in on what we're
going to do with ... June the 21st is tomorrow," Johnson told
reporters at the conclusion of the Group of Seven leader's
summit on Sunday.
"That's when we'll be putting out the whole package of
information so that everybody can see it together."
On Sunday, Britain recorded 7,490 new COVID-19 cases and
eight deaths, with the number of new infections rising almost
50% between June 7 and 13 compared with the previous week.
Hospitalisations were up 15% between June 2 and 8 compared with
the previous seven days.
The government has stressed any easing of restrictions would
be irreversible, meaning it would always act with caution.
The hesitancy comes despite Britain having one of the
fastest rollouts of COVID vaccinations in the world, with more
than 41 million people having had their first shot. Nearly 30
million receiving both doses - about 56% of the adult
population.
Foreign minister Dominic Raab said the critical issue was
data on the link between transmission of the virus and
hospitalisations.
"We know we've made great progress and weakening the link
between transmission ... and hospitalisation and of course those
who are more seriously sick," he told BBC TV on Sunday. "The
question is whether we've severed and broken it."
Hospitality bosses have said there must be more government
support for businesses to keep them afloat if the lockdown
restrictions are kept in place.
(Reporting by Michael Holden, Editing by Andrew Heavens)