COVID-19: Spread of Indian variant casts doubt on timing of key announcements | Political news

The spread of the Indian variant has cast doubt on the timing of the main coronavirus announcements.

Boris Johnson said last week that the government would “say more later this month about what exactly the world will look like” on June 21 and “what role there could be – if any – for the certification [having to prove your COVID status] and social distancing ”.

The Prime Minister also told MPs that ministers “before the end of this month will lay out all the details on the world of marriage after June 21”.

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This date is when the government hopes to lift all legal limits on social contact as part of the fourth step of its roadmap to ease coronavirus restrictions in England.

But asked Monday about these announcements, the spokesperson for Mr. Johnson did not commit to the times suggested previously.

“We need time to assess the latest data on this variant first identified in India, so I’m not going to give a fixed time to do it,” he said when asked about the ‘COVID Certification Exam.

“We want to do everything we can to give people enough time to prepare. The change in circumstances means we cannot guarantee it by the end of this month.

Asked about an announcement on social distancing, the spokesperson said, “Our goal is to give the public as much information as possible at every step.

“As the Prime Minister said, disruption is possible because of the Indian variant. Our decision will be based on the latest data, which we will present as soon as the data allows.”

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And on weddings, he said the variant’s “new threat” means ministers “must …