it diverges _ very extensive mutation which means it diverges quite significantly from previous— it diverges quite significantly from previous configurations of the virus: _ previous configurations of the virus. and _ previous configurations of the virus, and as a result it might at least, _ virus, and as a result it might at least, in — virus, and as a result it might at least, in part, reduce the protection of our vaccines over time — protection of our vaccines over time so— protection of our vaccines over time. so we need to take targeted and proportionate measures now as a precaution _ and proportionate measures now as a precaution while we find out more. and first, — precaution while we find out more. and first, we need to slow down the seeding _ and first, we need to slow down the seeding of— and first, we need to slow down the seeding of this variant in our country _ seeding of this variant in our country. we need to buy time for our scientists— country. we need to buy time for our scientists to — country. we need to buy time for our scientists to understand exactly what _ scientists to understand exactly what we — scientists to understand exactly what we are dealing with and for us to get— what we are dealing with and for us to get more — what we are dealing with and for us to get more people vaccinated, and above _ to get more people vaccinated, and above all. _ to get more people vaccinated, and above all, to get more people boosted _ above all, to get more people boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare _ boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare in _ boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare in what is already a challenging winter. so yesterday, we took steps _ challenging winter. so yesterday, we took steps to protect the uk against the variant— took steps to protect the uk against the variant coming here from the southern — the variant coming here from the southern african countries, and earlier— southern african countries, and earlier today added four macro more countries _ earlier today added four macro more countries to — earlier today added four macro more countries to the red list. but we now need — countries to the red list. but we