New Delhi (NVI): UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has again announced a month-long nationwide lockdown in England starting from November 5 till December 2, amid increasing cases of COVID-19 infection.
Johnson made the announcement in a virtual press conference from Downing Street, just hours after the United Kingdom’s coronavirus tally crossed one million-mark, according to the reports.
“From Thursday until the start of December you must stay at home, you may only leave home for specific reasons,” said Johnson, adding that, “Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative.”
Under the new restrictions, people will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons, such as education, medical reasons, work or food and essential shopping, said Johnson.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be closed across the country except for takeaways. Non-essential shops, hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues will also be closed for four-weeks, he added.
However, during the lockdown, schools, colleges and universities will remain open, the prime minister said, adding that those who cannot work from home, such as construction or manufacturing workers, will be encouraged to continue going to their workplaces.
Moreover, different households will be banned from mixing, although support bubbles and childcare bubbles will remain in place. Also, gyms will be shut but people can continue to exercise outdoors, at most with one person from another household.
Johnson further said that after the lockdown ends on December 2, regions will go back to the tiered system.
“Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different, but it’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together,” he added.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom COVID-19 cases have surpassed one million and currently stands at 10,14,739 with more than 46,000 deaths.
-RJV
