Coronavirus: British PM to hold press briefing on local restrictions after Christmas

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a news conference on Thursday to explain local COVID-19 restrictions, emerging from self-isolation two weeks after attending meeting with a lawmaker infected with the novel coronavirus.

Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.

Downing Street announced on November 15 that Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care in a London hospital earlier this year with the coronavirus, was self-isolating.

Johnson on Thursday will chair a cabinet meeting and later give a news conference to explain which areas in England will continue to local restrictions after the end of the monthlong national lockdown next month, finance minister Rishi Sunak said.

The details of the curbs are due to be announced with many parts of England expected to continue to face a ban on indoor socializing when national restrictions end next week.

“I know people are frustrated, of course, it is frustrating living under restrictions, especially the last month has difficult for everybody,” Sunak told the BBC.

“People will see a tangible change wherever they are compared to the last four weeks where people have been living with difficult restrictions.”

The prime minister tested negative for COVID-19 and says he is as fit as butcher’s dog.

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