Coronavirus live news: UK will face 'enormous strains', says chancellor; New Zealand PM says Auckland to go into lockdown for seven days

Rishi Sunak warns of risk to economy; Joe Biden tells US ‘now is not the time to relax - follow all the day’s news as it happens

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, will enter a week-long lockdown, Jacinda Ardern has announced, after a new Covid-19 case was detected.

The measures will come into effect on Sunday, the prime minister told a news conference. The lockdown was announced after a single coronavirus community case of unknown origin was recorded.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned that the UK’s finances will come under “enormous strains” following the third national lockdown, adding that debt accrued by spending on coronavirus support will have to be paid.

Speaking to the FT ahead of Wednesday’s unveiling of the budget, Sunak said low interest rates have left public finances “exposed”. The government has invested 280bn in coronavirus support over the course of the pandemic.

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Coronavirus | The Guardian

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