Summer holidays abroad 'extremely unlikely' this year, warns scientist

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Spi-M modelling group which advises the Government, said that the risk of new Covid-19 variants being brought back into the UK could jeopardise the vaccination programme later in the year.

It comes as a rise in coronavirus infections has led to countries across Europe imposing tougher restrictions, with scientists concerned about outbreaks of the South African variant.

Other experts have warned there could be a third wave of Covid-19 infections in the UK and advised people not to consider overseas holidays when restrictions ease later this year.

It comes as Matt Hancock announced that half of the adult population has now received its first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

In a video posted on Twitter on Saturday morning, he said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to tell you that we have now vaccinated half of all adults in the united kingdom.

‘It’s a huge success and I want to say many, many thanks to all those involved, including the half of all adults who have come forward.

‘The UK vaccination programme is a big success story. It’s down to the hard work of many, many people.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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