British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that his country has always been prepared for such deterioration in health conditions, and that it has all the medical resources to get out of the crisis.

He said: "We have informed the World Health Organization of the new strain of the virus, and we have begun to take preventive measures and have expressed our readiness to coordinate with our European partners and other countries."

He added, "We have always been ready because of Brexit and the negotiations with the European Union."

He continued, "I spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the situation in the port of Dover and the closure of the borders ... We appreciate the position of the European neighbors, but we are working together to improve the situation."

Johnson confirmed that "vaccinations have now been carried out for half a million people in his country, and they are continuing at a rapid pace."