Tougher UK coronavirus curbs may have to last some time

COVID-19 | London and southeast England may stay under tighter curbs for some time to stem a fast-spreading new coronavirus strain, Britain’s health minister suggested on Sunday, as Covid-19 cases surged by a record number for one day.

The government faced criticism for abruptly scrapping plans to ease restrictions for Christmas and imposing an effective lockdown on more than 16 million people. Health Minister Matt Hancock defended the decision, saying evidence showing the new strain was causing spiralling cases had forced the action.

The variant, which officials say is up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original, also prompted concerns about a wider spread. Several European countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium, said they were taking measures to prevent people arriving from Britain, including bans on flights and trains...