Much of UK re-enters covid lockdown
The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, ordered England into its third shutdown, which will last until mid-February. Separately, the Scottish government issued stay-at-home orders, and the Northern Irish and Welsh governments said schools would remain closed. Johnson said the UK faced “tough” weeks ahead as the number of coronavirus-related hospitalisations has continued to rise. Sources: BBC, DW, Financial Times, The Guardian and Reuters.
Germany likely to extend restrictions
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and the heads of Germany’s 16 federal states are expected to prolong current covid-fighting rules when they meet later today. Sources: DW, The Local Germany and Reuters.