World

U.K. Boosts Funding for Virus Vaccine as Lockdown Extended

Government still not discussing strategy to ease restrictions
Job-retention program extended as pandemic nears peak

The Houses of Parliament stands across the River Thames in London, U.K., on April 9. — The Houses of Parliament stands across the River Thames in London, U.K., on April 9.
Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

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By Stuart Biggs and Olivia Konotey-Ahulu

April 17, 2020 at 4:15 PM UTC

Updated on

April 17, 2020 at 4:57 PM UTC

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Boris Johnson’s government is seeking to expedite production of a vaccine and drugs to treat Covid-19, both of which are seen as crucial to end nationwide restrictions on citizens’ movement that have brought the U.K. economy to a near-halt.