Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said it is “unlikely” that coronavirus restrictions in England will be lifted before July 19.
Boris Johnson last week delayed the lifting of lockdown controls to July 19 due to the spread of the Delta variant, which originated in India, but said there would could be a review after two weeks.
However, Mr Kwarteng told Sky News he did not expect that to lead to an earlier relaxation of the current measures.
“I would always err on the side of caution and I would look to July 19. It could be before but I think that is unlikely. Generally we have stuck to the dates we have set,” he said.
“I think now I am very focused on July 19.”
The rules should have been eased in England today, June 21, but have been delayed after a surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths.
More to come.
