"We will not be closed for a day longer than necessary - but neither can we let go too early," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the lower house at the end of January.
A few days later, the next challenge was waiting in the form of a virus variant called E484K, also known as the South African mutation.
103 cases had been detected in Great Britain by the beginning of the week. The British are quick and effective in tracking down how the virus is developing and where. Due to the British mutation B.1.1.7. already learned a bitter lesson.