Boris Johnson 'seriously concerned' about Indian 'Delta' Covid variant as he prepares to delay June 21 lockdown easing

BORIS Johnson today admitted he is seriously concerned about the Indian 'Delta' Covid variant and is set to be "cautious" over lifting the fourth and final stage in his roadmap.

The Sun revealed last night that the lifting of Covid restrictions would be delayed until July 19 – after cases of the mutant Indian strain exploded by 240 per cent in just a week.

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Whitehall sources involved in the planning point to the fact that all UK adults will have been offered at least one jab by the end of July, with a short delay considered far better than having to U-turn and reintroduce restrictions.

Speaking from the G7 summit in Cornwall today, Boris Johnson said it's clear the Indian variant is "more transmissible" and of "serious concern".

“Clearly it’s a matter of serious, serious concern," he told Sky News.

“What we want to do is make sure the roadmap is irreversible but you can’t have an irreversible roadmap unless you are prepared to be cautious. 

“Some of the data is still open to question but we will be making an announcement on Monday in all the detail you could want.”

It's expected few restrictions will change in the announcement on Monday, with social distancing, mask-wearing and life as we know it likely to continue.

And the PM made clear today he does not want to backtrack on progress already made.

He said: "I can tell you the scientists are agreed bout one thing – they do not think there is any case of going into reverse.

"Yes absolutely an increase in cases and hospitalisations but the context has radically changed because of the sheer number of people who have been vaccinated."

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