Boris Johnson has warned that families are unlikely to be able to gather in numbers at Christmas and has ordered police to arrest people socialising in groups of more than six.

Normal life is unlikely to resume before the spring with the prime minister pinning his hopes on routine daily testing to give people a “passport to mingle”.

Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi has said the fire was started by asylum-seekers, but did not confirm if it was a deliberate act of arson.

‘Many fires broke out in the camp overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday… the incidents in Moria began with the asylum-seekers because of the quarantine imposed’ after 35 cases of coronavirus were detected in the camp, Mitarachi said, adding that no-one was seriously hurt in the blaze.

Some of the technology it would require does not yet exist.

Details of the moonshot proposals emerged as Johnson on Wednesday urged people to abide by new restrictions that outlaw gatherings of more than six people indoors and out, and said they were imperative if the country was to avoid further toughening of the rules.

US forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001. They invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011 but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State group overran large parts of Iraq.

“In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and coordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September”, Mr McKenzie said, according to an excerpt of his remarks provided by his office.

“When Sow and Jahn were reunited at Following Giants they were delighted to see each other again.

“Their joy at being able to spend time together is clear through their constant tactile interactions and vocalisations.