Boris warns Indian COVID-19 variant may cause 'serious disruption'

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves his 10 Downing Street apartment home to deliver a statement to parliament on the government's defense review, in London, UK. /AFP

The U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said the Indian variant of the coronavirus may cause "serious disruption" to the country's roadmap to reopening, warning of possible "hard choices" to be made if the situation worsens.

"If the variant is significantly more transmissible, we'll have to face some hard choices," he said in a televised address from Downing Street.

Boris noted that there was "no evidence" that vaccines may be less effective against the variant and assured the public that plans to ease restrictions will proceed on Monday.

"I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our road map and we will proceed with our plan to move to step three in England from Monday," said the Prime Minister.

"But I have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four in June."

Boris also noted that the administration of the second doses of vaccines will continue with vigor, and that priority will be given to persons over 50 years old and other vulnerable groups.

The U.K. will from Monday ease restrictions further, allowing indoor gatherings for the first time in months.

(With input from agencies)