LONDON: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new month-long lockdown after the country passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 infections and a resurgent coronavirus outbreak threatened to overwhelm the health service.
Boris Johnson, at a hastily convened news conference after news of a lockdown leaked to local media, said that the one-month lockdown across England would kick in after midnight on Thursday morning and last until December 2.
The United Kingdom, which has the biggest official death toll in Europe from Covid-19, is grappling with more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day and scientists have warned the worst-case scenario of 80,000 dead could be exceeded.
In this regard, the British PM said, “No responsible prime minister could ignore the grim figures. We must act now. Unless we act, we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day.”
Under the new restrictions, bars and restaurants can only offer takeout, non-essential shops must close and people will only be able to leave home for a shortlist of reasons, including exercise. Activities ranging from haircuts to foreign holidays must once again be put on hold.
However, schools, and universities will remain open and while elite sports will continue, amateur sports for adults and children will be asked to stop. Places of worship will remain open for private prayer, though funerals will be limited to close family members only.
“The government will revive its emergency coronavirus wage subsidy scheme to ensure workers who are temporarily laid off during a new England-wide lockdown receive 80 percent of their pay,” Johnson added.
Johnson’s imposition of stricter curbs came after scientists warned the outbreak was going in the wrong direction and that action was needed to halt the spread of the virus.
