The British government decided today to reimpose a lockdown in England for one month, from Thursday until December 2, However, schools will remain open during this period in an effort to limit the second wave of the new coronavirus epidemic, which threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
“The virus is spreading even faster than in the worst-case scenario considered by our scientific advisors. It is time to take action, as there is no other option.”, said the British Prime Minister. Boris Johnson today during a press conference at Downing Street, with his scientific and medical advisors at his side.
This measure does not apply to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as quarantine measures fall under the jurisdiction of the authorities in each British province.
England's national health system would be in dire straits if lockdown had not been decided upon.
England's National Health Service (NHS) could find itself in a dire situation in December, with a large number of deaths from COVID-19, if the following announcement had not been made today: new national lockdown, said England's chief medical officer and advisor to the British government, Professor Chris Whitty.
“I believe that if we did not take measures now, the likelihood of the National Health System finding itself in dire straits in December would be very high,” he said at a press conference.
So, in a sense, with this we are trying to ensure that December is not an inappropriate time for the NHS with huge numbers of infections and deaths.
The chief medical officer had stated earlier today, before the expected announcement of the new lockdown measures, that England is recording a significant increase in COVID-19 cases across almost the entire country. “There is now a significant increase across almost the entire country,” he said.
At the same time, the UK's chief scientific advisor Patrick Vallance said that deaths in England from COVID-19 during the winter could double or even increase further compared to the first wave in the spring.
The prospect of a vaccine in spring 2021 gives cause for optimism, says Boris Johnson
The prospect of a vaccine in the first quarter of 2021 gives reason for optimism that spring will be better, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said today after announcing a new national lockdown for England until December.
“I am optimistic that we will feel very different and better in the spring. It's not just that we will have better drugs and treatments, but also the realistic hope of a vaccine in the first quarter of next year,” he said.
“We now have the immediate prospect of using millions of inexpensive, reliable, and above all, rapid tests... which you can use to see if you are infected or not and get the result in 10 to 15 minutes,” Johnson said.
For four weeks from Thursday until December 2, cafes, pubs, and restaurants in England will remain closed., unless they offer a “package” sales service or deliver goods.
Residents of England are required to work from home and should only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as physical exercise, a medical appointment, or essential grocery shopping. They may only meet one person outside their home and in an outdoor space.
The elderly and vulnerable are advised to be very cautious. They will only be able to travel abroad for professional reasons.
Although these measures are similar to those imposed during the first lockdown in March, schools and universities will remain open.
Lawmakers will vote on these new restrictions early this week, before they take effect on Thursday.
This measure does not concern Scotland, the Wales and the Northern Ireland.
With regard to English Premier League soccer matches, Boris Johnson stated that they would continue throughout the month of lockdown.
