Covid-19 emergency regulations are to be extended into January next year.

MPs approved the order after Kim Wilson, the health minister, said the coronavirus continued to pose “a severe threat to public health”.

She added that emergency conditions imposed last month would expire on November 26 – the day before the next sitting of the House of Assembly.

Michael Dunkley, an Opposition MP, agreed that the world faced “a difficult winter period” with the virus at last Friday’s sitting of the House of Assembly.

But Mr Dunkley queried why the latest order was for 60 days, to expire on January 25, when the earlier extension had been for 30 days.

Ms Wilson told the House last Friday that “most of our global partners are anticipating a second wave” of Covid-19 cases.

David Burt, the Premier, said: “We are getting to the end of the beginning with news of a possible mRNA vaccine, which we should have on the island by January, if all goes well.”

But he warned: “We are seeing incredible spikes across the world – especially in Europe, and especially in the United States.”

Mr Burt appealed to the public to continue to wear masks, use hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing.

He said: “What we have done with our collective sacrifice can be undone by just a few small groups.”