With the surge of Covid cases in the UK and the tally crossing 1 million, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced a new month-long nation-wide lockdown for England. While the news had already been leaked to social media before, PM Boris, at a hastily convened press conference, said that the one-month lockdown across England is in force and it will last until Dec 2nd.
“Now is the time to take action because there’s no alternative,” PM Johnson said at the Downing Street news conference. He said that the second national lockdown is to prevent a “medical and moral disaster”.
Britain surpassed one million cases. Nearly 22,000 new infections were reported on Saturday, and virus hospitalisations climbed by 1,239, the highest daily tally since late April. The United Kingdom is registering more than 20,000 new Corona Virus cases a day. This is a clear indication of a second wave of Covid, say experts in the UK. Hospitals are warning that they would become overwhelmed by Covid cases. Considering all these, a nation-wide lockdown is reimposed in England.
As per the new lockdown rules, people need to stay at home except in case of emergency. People are allowed for work and education. Schools, Universities remain open. Other than essential shops, others will close. Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential retail across the nation will close but takeaways and click-and-collect shopping can remain open. Leisure and entertainment venues, including gyms, will also close.