Boris Johnson’s covid-19 coronavirus announcement has been delayed, a spokesperson for No 10 has said.
The Downing Street press conference was originally scheduled for a 5pm start.
However, a spokesperson has said it has now been delayed until 5.30pm.
No reason for the delay has been given at this time.
It comes amid fears lockdown lifting in England could be reversed due to increasing concerns about the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant.
R value and growth rate estimates released today suggest the virus could now be spreading again in parts of England, with a range of between 0.8 and 1.1.
And extra does of the vaccine are beings sent to north west England, with plans to introduce “surge” vaccinations.
Earlier today, health officials said a small number of cases of the Indian variant have been detected in Cambridge.
It came as Downing Street said ministers had accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) throughout the pandemic, when asked if the body needs to sign off on “surge” vaccinations in hotspots.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister told reporters: “The JCVI’s remit is to advise on the prioritisation order and set out the details and the rationale of that to Government.
“Throughout the vaccination programme, we have accepted their advice and we have rolled out the vaccinations accordingly.”
