The Prime Minister has tonight announced strict new measures in a bid to stop coronavirus, plunging the country into a full national lockdown.
In order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the NHS, we are all once again being told to remain inside – except in certain circumstances.
Boris Johnson said that there are ‘tough, tough’ weeks ahead as the country battles to vaccinate millions of people as quickly as possible. He has said that people need to keep ‘disciplined’.
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may only leave the home to:
– shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
– go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
– exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
– meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
– seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
– attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Schools will now close and all shops and other businesses selling non-essential goods have been ordered to close. Shops that can stay open include supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops, hardware stores, newsagents, petrol stations, banks, post offices, laundrettes and funeral homes.
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers (formerly known as key workers).
If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.
Police have the power to fine any individual who disobeys the government restrictions, which come into law on Wednesday morning. However, people are being asked to follow the rules from now, 8.05pm Monday 4 January.
The lockdown measures could remain in place until the middle of February, Sky News reports.
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