The third wave of Covid-19 infections tearing through Europe could soon hit the UK, Boris Johnson has warned.
The Prime Minister said he expected the wave being seen across Europe to "wash up on our shores as well".
Speaking to broadcasters in Preston, Mr Johnson said: "I've talked to our (European) friends repeatedly over the period - we're all facing the same pandemic, we all have the same problems.
"If there is one thing that is worth stressing is that on the continent right now you can see sadly there is a third wave under way.
"People in this country should be under no illusions that previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, it washes up on our shores as well.
"I expect that we will feel those effects in due course.
"That's why we're getting on with our vaccination programme as fast as we can but a vaccination campaign and developing vaccines, rolling them out - these are international projects and they require international co-operation."
The PM will this week address the powerful backbench 1922 Committee of Tory MPs this week to defend his road map out of lockdown.
The Prime Minister's press secretary Allegra Stratton said: "As you would expect, the Prime Minister is using every opportunity when he meets his Conservative MPs to make the case."
Critics, including former chief whip Mark Harper, have warned the continuation of restrictions until June 21 at the earliest under the road map is draconian because the success of the vaccination programme means they are not needed.
Ms Stratton said: "It is fundamentally the case that he believes this is a cautious but - if we do it right - irreversible road map.
"So, taking the time to do it in the way that we are doing, with the five-week review points (between stages), means that we are sure at every point that the loosening is the right thing to be doing.
"That's why it is taking its time, because we want to make sure we are doing the right thing."
