Coronavirus will afflict UK until 'the middle of next year', Boris Johnson admits

Coronavirus will haunt the UK until 'the middle of next year', Boris Johnson has warned - one week after appearing to promise “normality by Christmas”.

The prime minister switched tack again, highlighting “tough times ahead in keeping this virus under control and tough times economically”.

“I think by the middle of next year, we will be well on the way passed it,” he said on a visit to a GP surgery in East London.

However, only seven days ago, he unveiled a plan which he argued would allow for a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas.

The prime minister was also asked to acknowledge any blunders he had made in his handling of the pandemic, but replied: “It would be invidious to single out any particular mistake.”

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