Trump attacks Boris Johnson’s Covid lockdown: ‘The cure cannot be worse than the problem itself’

Donald Trump has attacked Boris Johnson’s decision to impose strict new regulations in Britain to try and halt the spread of the coronavirus, saying the “cure cannot be worse” than the problem.

The British prime minister on Saturday announced new restrictions for parts of southern Britain, including London, that will result in people being forced to cancel plans they had to gather together over the Christmas holidays.

Mr Johnson said that areas currently listed at “tier 3”, the highest level of current restrictions, will move to a new and even more stringent “tier 4”. It will require all non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours on Saturday.

Mr Johnson also said that a planned easing of socialising rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “bubbles" from Dec 23 to Dec 27, will be cancelled for tier 4 areas.