Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:20 pm
Everyone in England must stay at home except for permitted reasons during a new coronavirus lockdown beginning at midnight, Boris Johnson has announced
All schools and colleges will close to most pupils and switch to remote learning until the middle of February.
In a televised address, the PM urged people to follow the rules immediately amid surging cases and patient numbers.
He said those in the top four priority groups would receive a first vaccine dose by mid-February.
Speaking from Downing Street, Mr Johnson said all the new measures will last until at least the middle of next month and that the weeks ahead would be the "hardest yet".
He added that he believed the country was entering "the last phase of the struggle".
And he reiterated the slogan used earlier in the pandemic, urging people to "stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives".
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be contacted by letter and should now shield once more, Mr Johnson said.
Support and childcare bubbles will continue under the new measures - and people can meet one person from another household for outdoor exercise.
Communal worship and life events like funerals and weddings can continue, subject to limits on attendance.
While Mr Johnson said end-of-year exams would not take place as normal in the summer, he said alternative arrangements would be announced separately.
The government has published a 22-page document outlining the new rules in detail.
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Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:21 pm
he believed the country was entering "the last phase of the struggle"
Mon Jan 04, 2021 11:07 pm
Tue Jan 05, 2021 12:41 am