GLOOMY Boris Johnson today warned that Covid “storm clouds are gathering” in the strongest signal yet he could impose fresh restrictions.
The Prime Minister said concerning infection rates in Europe – where some countries are locking down – could bleed into Britain this winter.
Cases in the UK have been falling and the latest figures show them 12 per cent down on last week. Hospitalisations and deaths are also falling.
But speaking on a visit to a pharmacy in Bexley and Old Sidcup he said: “I’m seeing storm clouds gathering over parts of the European continent.
“And I’ve got to be absolutely frank with people – we’ve been here before, and we remember what happens when a wave starts rolling in.”
Britain was originally plunged into lockdown last year after neighbouring nations’ outbreaks spiralled out of control.
Currently 10 EU countries including Poland, Greece and the Netherlands are deemed of “very high concern”.
A further 13 are of “high concern” including Germany and Austria, which retreated back into lockdown today.
Mr Johnson said: “We have got a situation now where there is no question that there is a wave of infection coming across Eastern Europe.
“We are seeing numbers rise in Germany very steeply.”
He said the dominant Delta variant – of which there were 80,000 more cases last week – remains the main panic point.
Mr Johnson said the UK’s vaccine programme gave us a fighting chance and urged eligible Brits to get their booster jabs.
He pleaded: “What I’m saying today is that the urgency of getting that booster jab is is more evident than ever.
“If you can get it, it’s a great thing. The levels of protection it gives you are terrific.”
Trending In The News’s Give Britain A Booster campaign is also urging people to get a third jab.
Downing St recently said there are “no plans” to move to the Government’s Plan B, which introduces mandatory masks, working from home and vaccine passports.
