(The Sun) – Boris Johnson has ordered everyone in England to stay at home until mid-February as he launched an emergency shutdown to try and save Britain’s NHS. In a dramatic escalation in the fight against Covid, the PM ordered the closure of all schools and non-essential shops for at least the next six weeks.
The PM urged Brits to follow the third nationwide lockdown immediately, and once again put Brits under effective house arrest – resurrecting the ‘Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives slogan’. And it was the new variant – which is between 50 and 70 percent more transmissible – which has forced him to act tonight.
Mr. Johnson said people will only be allowed out of their homes to buy essential food and medicine supplies, attend medical appointments, exercise, work if it is critical and cannot be done from home and to provide care for a vulnerable person. He also told the nation:
People can only meet up for outside exercise with one other person from another household
All outdoor team sports are banned except for elite sportsmen and kids still at school
Playgrounds will remain open but outdoor gyms, tennis courts, and golf courses will be closed once again
Schools are set to stay shut across the nation until at least February half-term
Nurseries, childcare centers, and special schools will remain open
Students will not be able to return to university and will be told to study remotely from their current residency until at least the middle of next month.
GCSEs, A-Levels, and some other exams are set to be canceled – with further announcements due to come
Pubs, restaurants, bars, and most venues were already ordered to shut in every part of England apart from the Isles of Scilly last week and will remain closed for at least another month
In a further blow to the battered industry, the new nationwide curbs will ban takeaway pints being served amid fears over punters clustering outside pubs. Food and non-alcohol takeaways will continue to be permitted
In a boost for lonely Brits, support bubbles will remain in place – allowing single households to mix indoors with one other household. READ MORE
