The British government is refusing to reveal when the nation will be freed from lockdown after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was too early to tell whether restrictions could be ended in Spring.
Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel was questioned on the matter on Friday morning but refused to discuss a timetable, saying the number of people in hospital justify the stringent measures.
Ms Patel also warned rulebreakers would be punished by police with fines over $1,000 for house party attendees.
The penalty will be doubled for each repeat offence to a maximum penalty of just over 11,000.
