Europe locks down as half of UK adults get Covid-19 vaccine

Countries across Europe have introduced tough new lockdowns as Covid-19 rates across the continent rocketed.

Meanwhile, more than half the UK adult population has now been vaccinated after Friday saw a record 711,156 people given vaccination jags.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “It’s a huge success and I want to say many, many thanks to all those involved, including the half of all adults who have come forward.”

In Europe, France and Poland have both implemented new lockdowns, while Italy and Spain have opted for curfews amid soaring numbers of cases. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany may apply an “emergency break” on relaxing restrictions.

Yesterday, a scientist on a government advisory body warned foreign holidays this summer were unlikely.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the government’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, said: “I think international travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, extremely unlikely.

“We are running a risk if we start to have lots of people going overseas because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.

“What is really dangerous is if we jeopardise our vaccination campaign by having these variants, where the vaccines don’t work as effectively, spreading more rapidly.”

In Dundee, 36 students tested positive after a party. Dundee University said it had issued “further strong reminders” to students to comply with regulations on social distancing and gatherings.

An investigation was launched after a vial of vaccine was stolen from a vaccination centre in Morrison Street, Edinburgh, yesterday.

Scotland recorded eight deaths from coronavirus and 488 positive tests were returned in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data.