The UK may be “heading towards disaster” over Christmas, scientists have warned as coronavirus cases surge in parts of the country following the end of the second national lockdown.
Independent Sage said the relaxation of restrictions over a five-day festive period created a “very real danger” of a third wave of Covid-19, and one public health expert described the government’s decision as a “mistake”.
It came as the reproduction number, or R value, of coronavirus transmission across the UK crept up toward 1, with London and the southeast of England suffering the highest rate of new infections. Police have criticised “selfish” members of the public in the capital for holding illegal parties and gatherings.
Meanwhile rapid testing will be rolled out to local authorities in the highest tier of restrictions from Monday, the government has announced.
