Boris Johnson has been warned that a vaccine war with the EU would put the UK’s recovery at risk, as he admitted that this country would be hit by the third wave spreading through Europe.
The prime minister said that previous experience showed that rising infections in France and Italy would soon “wash up on our shores as well” - despite the continued decrease in cases, hospital admissions and deaths across the country.
He made the comments as new legislation was published, revealing that foreign holidays would be illegal from Monday until at least 30 June, with police able to issue fines of up to £5,000.
On Monday the UK recorded the lowest number of daily deaths since September, at 17, while the total number of people who have received first doses of a vaccine now stands at almost 28 million.
The prime minister has reportedly spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in an effort to end a stand-off with the EU over coronavirus vaccine exports.
EU leaders are expected to hold virtual talks on Thursday to discuss the possibility of a ban on exports to the UK.
