COVID PRESSER
Boris Johnson announcement: What did the PM say in his speech tonight, Friday, May, 14?
BORIS Johnson has vowed to take "whatever action" is necessary either "regionally or nationally" to squash the Indian Covid variant.
So could the latest battle over a mutant strain cause the next steps out of national lockdown to falter? The PM addressed the nation with the latest information this evening.
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What time was Boris Johnson's announcement tonight?
Boris Johnson spoke to the nation from No10 tonight, Friday May 14, at 5:30pm after cases of the new Covid strain more than doubled over the past week.
The press conference was originally expected at 5pm, but was delayed - likely due to a meeting the PM had at Chequers this afternoon.
On May 13, the PM admitted to being "anxious" about the coronavirus mutation.
What did Boris Johnson announce?
The PM announced that millions of Brits would get their second jabs sooner in light of the Indian coronavirus strain hitting some areas.
Mr Johnson was joined at the podium by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.
The PM said the gap between first and second jabs would be cut to eight weeks but insisted his roadmap is still on track.
He said tonight: "We will accelerate remaining second doses, especially for the clinically vulnerable, right across the country, to just eight weeks after the first date.
"And if you are in this group the NHS, will be in touch with you. We will also prioritise first jabs for anyone eligible who has not yet come forward."
Mr Johnson assured people in England that the unlocking on Monday would happen as planned, meaning holidays and indoor mixing is finally allowed again.
However, he warned the nation to continue to be cautious, and for anyone worried to get tested as soon as possible.
He also urged locals in Indian coronavirus variant hotspots to “think twice” about indoor mixing and travelling outside their area.
He added: "This new variant could make it more difficult to move to step 4 in June.
"I urge everyone to exercise the greatest caution.";
On May 13, the PM refused to rule out the possibility that the final stage of the roadmap on June 21 may have to be delayed.
But scientists have said they're confident the current crop of vaccines is effective against the variant.
The latest on coronavirus
Britain's long-awaited "Freedom Day" is now in serious doubt, with scientists and Mr Johnson's former adviser Dominic Cummings among those calling for it to be postponed.
Epidemiologist Professor Paul Hunter said Brits now face a nail-biting wait for data on exactly how serious the current outbreaks are and how many people end up dead or in hospital.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "The big question is how many people who are getting the Indian variant will end up requiring hospitalisation."
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