Johnson Announces 4-Week Lockdown in England

A second national lockdown will be enforced across England from midnight on Thursday, with all non-essential stores, restaurants, pubs and leisure facilities closed for at least four weeks, Boris Johnson said.

The Prime Minister significantly accelerated the country's response to the pandemic at a press conference on Saturday night, informing the nation that "we must act now to stem this autumn surge," with steps scheduled to stay in place until 2 December, BBC reports.

People have been told to "stay at home" whenever possible, but they would be required to leave their homes for schooling, medical appointments, to shop for vital items, and to work if they can not work from home.

Outdoor exercise is also allowed, with members of the same household or with one person from another household.

People will be allowed to leave their homes to take care of needy people or to avoid injury or harm. Take-aways and deliveries will continue to be allowed.

The furlough scheme, which covers 80 per cent of the salaries of workers temporarily laid off, will be extended throughout November, the Prime Minister said.

Announcing the extension, Johnson apologized for the effect of coronavirus interventions on companies, saying, "I have no illusions as to how difficult this would be for businesses who have already had to experience such difficulties this year, and I am genuinely, truly sorry for that."

Under the new rules, which will be released in full on Tuesday and voted on by Members on Wednesday, households will be forbidden from mixing indoors, with the exception of childcare and other types of assistance.

Support bubbles will remain in place, and children will also be able to travel between their homes if their parents are separated.

In comparison to the first nationwide lockdown implemented in March, schools, colleges and universities will remain open, as will childcare and early years care.

“We cannot let this virus damage our children’s futures any more than it has already,” Johnson said.

People who can work from home will be asked to do so, but those working in manufacturing and construction will be encouraged to continue working.

Johnson also declared a ban on overnight stays and outbound international travel, unless the trips are for work, while the places of worship are open for private prayer, but not for service. He also announced that the Premier League was going to continue.

Despite the imposition of stricter new measures, shielding guidance will not be reinstated.

Johnson said, however, that those over the age of 60 or who have health problems that make them more susceptible to the virus should be extremely vigilant and limit their interaction with others.

He said it was important to keep non-coronavirus health care in place, stressing that people should continue to attend appointments and use the GSP services.

The Prime Minister said that the government would aim to put an end to the measures at the beginning of December, but said that the exit strategy from the regulations would vary depending on the nature of the transmission rate of the virus in various parts of England.

He said he hoped that the steps will make it easier for families to reunite at Christmas.

“Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different. but it’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together,” he said.

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, described the restrictions as “a devastating blow” to business communities.

Market confidence has been “hit hard by the unclear, stop-start approach” taken by governments across the UK during the pandemic, he said.

He added: “Many firms are in a much weaker position now than at the start of the pandemic, making it far more challenging to survive extended closures or demand restrictions.”

He called for government support for businesses facing hardship, whether through the loss of demand or closure, to be boosted.

He said: “The government must not squander the time afforded to them through another lockdown to enable mass testing and fix test and trace systems – which hold the key to a lasting exit strategy for both public health and the economy.”

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive Officer of the Travel trade organization Abta, said: "Today's announcement that holidays in the UK and abroad will not be permitted under lockdown in England will mean a full shutdown for travel companies that have already been seriously weakened by the pandemic – but public health must come first.

“We’re pleased to see the government has recognised the significant impact the latest lockdown will have on businesses and has extended the furlough scheme until the start of December.

“The government must also make good progress with the Global Travel Taskforce, ensuring a testing regime is ready to go as soon as lockdown is lifted. Anyone due to travel imminently on a package holiday should speak to their travel company to discuss their options.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer said it was unfair to pretend to the public that Christmas “will be normal”. The Labour leader told reporters: “I don’t think Christmas will be normal and I think we need to level with the public on that.

“This lockdown is going on to at least 2 December, everybody’s seen the figures, and, therefore, I don’t think it’s fair to pretend that Christmas is going to be normal in any sense of the word.”

The prime minister’s announcement follows a sharp increase in the spread of coronavirus across England in recent weeks. The Office for National Statistics estimated that 568,100 people were infected with the virus in the week ending 23 October alone.

According to modelling shared by the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, without further action, the NHS would breach its fixed and surged bed capacity by the first week of December.