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The response did not appear to appease Mr Ferrari, who said: “I have to put it to you again.<\/p>\n
“There is a possibility then that we might have to press pause as part of June 21?”<\/p>\n
Mr Zahawi replied: “The way we don’t have to do that is by everyone doing their bit. Taking their two tests a week.”<\/p>\n
But the LBC presenter interjected to point out: “You didn’t say no.”<\/p>\n
Boris Johnson discusses potential measures for Indian variant<\/h3>\n
Mr Zahawi said: “We’ve got to break the cycle of infection because one of those big tests is infection rates have to be suppressed and the other big test is variants.<\/p>\n
“If those cause problems, then the tests will fail.”<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said the Government and health officials are “ruling nothing out” as cases of the Indian mutation become more prominent across the UK.<\/p>\n
The spread of the strain gave rise to speculation about second doses of the coronavirus vaccine being moved up in a bid to prevent further cases.<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS<\/strong><\/p>\n Eurostar row: UK ‘will consider’ buying back stake in company [REPORT] A Downing Street insider said: “The variant of concern first identified in India is beginning to spread increasingly rapidly in certain areas across the country.<\/p>\n “While there is no current evidence that this variant has any greater impact on severity of disease or evades the vaccine, the speed of growth is concerning and the Government is considering additional action if deemed necessary, including increased surge testing and options around vaccination.<\/p>\n “The Government is considering accelerating second doses for the most vulnerable groups in order to provide the fullest possible protection for these groups sooner.<\/p>\n “Discussions with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunity are taking place on the details of this option, including precise timings, and the Government will set out full details of this option shortly.”<\/p>\n
BBC sparks licence fee row as working-class made ‘butt of the joke’ [INSIGHT]
Boris Johnson in cast-iron Brexit bid with two law-changes <\/strong>[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/zahawi-news-vaccine-coronavirus-latest-3051637.jpg?r=1620980807206\")
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