Will the Indian variant derail the government’s roadmap for ending lockdown? That’s the question that has been asked multiple times in Whitehall this week. After an increase in community transmission was reported in parts of the North West including Bolton, the Prime Minister set the cat among the pigeons on Friday by suggesting it could impact the planned easing for June 21. Since then, there have been plenty of scientific advisers taking to the airwaves to warn of trouble ahead. However, as I write in this week’s magazine, there is increasing optimism across government that the roadmap will be able to proceed.
As things stand, Johnson is unpersuaded that the data suggests there will have to be a delay. Instead, he thinks some of the gloom has been overdone. Suggestions that the chances of all restrictions being lifted next month are ‘close to nil’ have not landed well with ministers.
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