What the papers say – January 4
A range of stories relating to Covid-19 lead the papers on the first working day of 2021, from the rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to harsher restrictions.
A warning of a third national lockdown issued by Boris Johnson leads TheTimes, with the Prime Minister speaking of “very difficult” weeks and months ahead.
Stand by for tough new Covid curbs, PM warns#tomorrowspaperstoday@hendopolispic.twitter.com/vQS6qn2okg
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) January 3, 2021
The Daily Telegraph carries a similar story, writing that shielding and school closures could last beyond Easter.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Threat of national lockdown looms again' #TomorrowsPapersToday
Read more: https://t.co/gKYEba5cVEpic.twitter.com/qIgFdFZst8
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 3, 2021
The i says “tougher Covid rules” are in the offing, while The Independent says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on Mr Johnson to introduce a third lockdown within 24 hours.
Monday's front page: Tougher Covid rules on the way, warns PM#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/sovpjwiliy
— i newspaper (@theipaper) January 3, 2021
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: @Keir_Starmer piles pressure on PM for new lockdown #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/AmN55akx3y
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 3, 2021
The Guardian talks about a “schools crisis”, with local authorities looking to delay school openings due to rising coronavirus infection rates.
Guardian front page, Monday 4 January 2021: Schools crisis grows as PM warns of new Covid curbs pic.twitter.com/I2Hl7YyKVv
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 3, 2021
The Daily Mirror carries a similar story under the headline “Class Chaos”, a story which also leads the Daily Star, while the Financial Times says the plans to reopen primary schools in England is in “disarray”.
Today's front page: PM's schools debacle – class chaos https://t.co/MI1TWXdSma#TomorrowsPaperTodaypic.twitter.com/toOSW7xlW8
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) January 4, 2021
Tomorrow's front page: 'Liar liar pants on fire' https://t.co/h12xPRIIwG#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/61smiPXeUk
— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 3, 2021
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Monday January 4 https://t.co/I3vjiUSncGpic.twitter.com/EQb6489xJk
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) January 3, 2021
And Metro‘s headline plays on the prospect of harsher restrictions with the headline “Happy New Tier”.
Monday's front page:HAPPY NEW TIER#tomorrowspaperstoday#BBCPapers#skypaperspic.twitter.com/MrfFKpRgz9
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) January 3, 2021
The new vaccination programme makes headlines in the DailyExpress with six NHS trusts starting to deploy the Oxford jab.
Tomorrow's front page: 'PM: Jab gives hope to tens of millions'https://t.co/W7Jy9TGKii#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/DjblDLCUpO
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) January 3, 2021
And the DailyMail says millions of people are living in “fire-trap homes”, adding ministers have “buried their heads in the sand” after Grenfell.
MAIL: Towering Injustice #TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/Ro2xiwwnB0
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 3, 2021