Boris Johnson: ‘Be tough' on coronavirus now to ‘protect Christmas’

Boris Johnson has warned actions to stop a second surge of coronavirus must be "tough now" in order to "protect" Christmas.

His words came as stricter new measures are expected to be announced for the North East of England, where cases are on the rise - including a reported curfew on pubs.

The PM said people have to be "both confident and cautious" and that it is "crucial" the country does not re-enter "some great lockdown again that stops business from functioning".

In an interview with the Sun, Mr Johnson said: "Christmas we want to protect, and we want everyone to have a fantastic Christmas.”

Boris Johnson has warned actions to stop a second surge of coronavirus must be "tough now" in order to "protect" Christmas. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"But the only way to make sure the country is able to enjoy Christmas is to be tough now.

"So if we can grip it now, stop the surge, arrest the spike, stop the second hump of the dromedary, flatten the second hump."

He spoke after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots to “act now” to prevent further Covid-19 deaths.

Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said: “While the number of deaths is much, much lower thankfully than was the case in the spring and early summer this year, nevertheless the need for me to report deaths is a more regular feature of these briefings now than it has been for quite some time.

“Unless we act to stem community transmission now it is highly likely that cases of serious illness and deaths will rise in the weeks to come.

“If community transmission continues to rise as night follows day we will see more cases of people in hospital and unfortunately more cases of people dying.”

One Covid-19 death was recorded in Scotland over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to 2,501.

She said 267 positive cases of the virus had been recorded over the same time period, bringing the total to 23,283.

This is 3.6% of newly tested individuals.

Public health officials in Scotland are also investigating another new coronavirus cluster, this time at university student accommodation.

NHS Lothian said a number of people have tested positive at Edinburgh Napier University’s Bainfield student accommodation.

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