Covid-19: Boris Johnson announces four-week lockdown for England

Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown for England as the UK passed one million Covid-19 cases.

COVID-19 case numbers have risen rapidly across the whole of the UK and in other countries.

The scientific reports state that day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, the Government is taking the following action:

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes.

2. Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.

3. Closing certain businesses and venues.

These new measures have been carefully judged to achieve the maximum reduction in growth in the number of cases, preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed, whilst ensuring that schools, colleges and universities stay open and that as many people as possible continue to work.

Until Thursday 5 November, the relevant Local Covid Alert Level measures will continue to apply..

The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December. At the end of the period, the Government will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.