Government urged to ensure that alternative plans are in place as new Covid variant found in Europe

THE government has been urged to be vigilant and ensure that alternative plans are in place this winter as a worrying new variant of coronavirus continues to spread across the globe.
The first European case of the new variant was identified in Belgium today, but the government said no cases have been found in Britain so far.
The new strain of the virus has turned up in Israel, Hong Kong South Africa and Botswana.
More from this author

It is ‘unfathomable’ that staff are having to keep doors and windows open and ask pupils to layer up for a second winter, Scottish Teachers for Positive Change and Wellbeing says
Similar stories

Labour warned that workers expect better as anger mounts over welfare cuts and public-sector pay

The NHS continues to say Covid spreads primarily through ‘droplet and touch’ while the WHO emphasises airborne transmission, meaning vulnerable patients and healthcare workers face unnecessary risks, reports RUTH HUNT