Voice of London

Boris Johnson has announced that once again the nation will go into lockdown due to fears the NHS could be overwhelmed by the surge of coronavirus patients.

Speaking at an emergency Downing Street press conference, the prime minister has initiated strong measures that will last from November 5 to December 2 in a hope to save the nations Christmas. 

It came as chief scientific officer Patrick Vallance, who appeared at the briefing alongside the Prime Minister and chief medical officer Chris Whitby, stated that if the government did not take critical measures the second wave of COVID-19 would be ‘twice as bad or more’ than the first.

All pubs, restaurants, hospitality venues and leisure facilities will close but all educational institutions ie. schools, colleges and universities will be open along with essential shops.

Takeaway and click and collect services will still be allowed to be active, however, travelling on public transport is highly discouraged. 

People should only leave their homes for the purpose of education, recreational outdoor exercise, medical reasons, to shop for essential items and work, if they cannot work from home. When outdoors, they should only mix with members from their household or form a bubble with one person from another household. 

The Furlough scheme, which sees the government pay 80% of lost wages, has been extended until December 2, in a bid to help combat financial repercussions that many businesses will be the victim of.

More than one million coronavirus cases have now been recorded in the UK, the surge in coronavirus infections, hospitalisation and deaths has provoked the government to return to the three-tier local lockdown approach after the four-week national lockdown. However, due to parts of the country with higher infection rates, this may be subject to tougher measures. 

International travel will also be banned unless for work purposes but Brits abroad will be allowed to return. 

Places of worship will stay open for private prayer but religious group services will be prohibited. Funeral attendees will be limited to close family and must follow strict protocols.

The Prime Minister attempted to end his conference on an optimistic note by telling the public to hold onto the ‘rays of sunshine’ that we will get through this together however, he could not promise that Christmas would not be severely affected this year.

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Words: Natasha Shah | Subbing: Dina Nazari