England prepares for second national lockdown lasting until December

31 October 2020, 19:07 | Updated: 1 November 2020, 09:37

Boris Johnson outlines restrictions for second national lockdown

By Ewan Somerville

Boris Johnson has ordered England into a second national lockdown for a month starting next week, telling people to stay at home and forcing pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops to close.

The Prime Minister warned coronavirus risked overwhelming the NHS without further action, after his scientific advisers warned the disease was surging in all age groups across the country.

“You must stay at home," the PM said during a No 10 press briefing. "Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative."

From 00.01 on Thursday until 2 December, all pubs and restaurants must close but takeaway and deliveries can continue. All non-essential retail will shut but supermarkets can stay open.

Boris Johnson said the new restrictions would last a month
Boris Johnson said the new restrictions would last a month. Picture: PA

Read more: Boris Johnson extends furlough scheme for England's second lockdown

Schools, colleges and universities as well as courts and parliament will remain open.

People are advised not to travel unless for essential reasons or for work. Brits abroad will be allowed to return to the UK.

The PM announced the new restrictions in a Downing Street briefing on Saturday evening alongside Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser.

They are the toughest measures seen since the spring lockdown and will be put to a Commons vote next week.

Read more: What you can and can't do from Thursday in England's lockdown

Read more: UK passes 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases

Sir Patrick Vallance said “most likely… 50,000 plus” people per day were catching the virus in the UK and around 500,000 people have it currently, the latest data shows. 

On the death toll, he added that projections suggest “there is the potential for this to be twice as bad or more compared to the first wave”.

Mr Johnson said: “Unless we act, we could see death running in this country running at several thousand a day.”

He added: “The general threat to public health comes not from focusing too much on covid, but from not focusing enough - from failing to get it under control… The risk is that for the first time in our lives, the NHS will not be there for us and our families.”

Boris Johnson announces extension to furlough scheme

It comes after scientists warned deaths from Covid-19 are feared to exceed "reasonable worst case planning levels" in the coming weeks, with more than 85,000 people expected to lose their lives to the virus by April.

However, others have raised concerns about the collateral damage another lockdown could bring for the economy, mental health, and cancelled operations and diagnoses.

Households will be banned from mixing in homes, except for childcare or other care reasons. Exercise will be allowed outdoors and manufacturing and construction industries, along with others unable to operate from home, can continue.

Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed - including holidays in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with. There are specific exceptions, for example if you need to stay away from home for work purposes.

Read more: Covid spreading in England faster than 'worst-case scenario'

Read more: Businesses warn of jobs bloodbath in 'Halloween horror' second lockdown

Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable will be urged to minimise contact with others, but shielding will not be reintroduced, Mr Johnson said.

After the four-week lockdown ends, England will revert to the three-tier system already in place, Mr Johnson said.

The new measures come after new data showed the extent of cases across England. The Office for National Statistics estimated that 568,100 people in households were infected with coronavirus in the week ending October 23.

Members of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have backed the introduction of more stringent measures.

David Lammy attacks government's slow Covid-19 response

Mr Johnson said: "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 added that "no responsible Prime Minister can ignore" the latest statistics and that hospitals in the South West were due to run out of beds in weeks.

The PM described the pandemic as “a constant struggle and a balance that any Government has to make between lives and livelihoods, and obviously lives must come first”.

But he told the press conference: “We have to be mindful the whole time of the scarring the long term economic impact of the measures we’re obliged to introduce.”

Furlough payments at 80% will be extended for the duration of the restrictions as high streets once again shut up shop.

Sir 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 December 2, 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 measures in full lasting from Thursday until December 2:

- Stay at home unless for education, for work if you cannot work from home, for exercise, for medical reasons, to shop for food and essentials, to care for others

- Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed. Click and collect can continue and essential shops such as supermarkets will remain open. Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or take-away services. Hairdressers and beauty salons will close.

- Schools, colleges and universities will all remain open. Childminders and nurseries will stay open and childcare bubbles, where for example a grandparent provides childcare while a parent works, will be able to continue. After-school clubs and sports clubs will be suspended.

- People are advised not to travel unless for essential reasons. People can travel for work. Anyone on holiday will be allowed to return to the UK.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse

Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

Breaking
Iran has launched an attack on a US military base.

Trump calls for 'peace & harmony' in the Middle East as he brands Iran's attack on US air base a 'very weak response'

Emma Raducanu during a practice session during Eastbourne Open, where she is currently competing

Raducanu says Wimbledon 'did amazing job' after stalker tried to buy tickets

Large fire engulfs the abandoned Hotspur Press mill building near Oxford Road in Central Manchester. Credit Milo Chandler/Alamy Live News

Major fire in Manchester city centre causes serious disruption

Notorious criminal John 'Goldfinger' Palmer was murdered at his home in Brentwood in Essex in 2015. His killer has never been found

Who killed John 'Goldfinger' Palmer? Police make fresh appeal 10 years after his death

An RAF flight has left Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country amid ongoing attacks between Iran and Israel.

First RAF flight evacuates 63 Briton from Israel as Lammy confirms one UK national injured in Iran missile attacks

Moment Israel blows up the front gate of Iran's notorious Evin prison

Israel blow's gates of Iran's notorious Evin Prison where many political prisoners are held

The DLR could be heading further south east of the Thames - not just the River Lea

Every railway line extension in London: Sadiq Khan's Thamesmead DLR ambition gets to next stage

Iranian protesters chant slogans and one holds a poster with a vampire-like illustration of US President Donald Trump in Revolution Square to protest US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran

LIVE: Trump breaks silence as Iran launches strike on US military base in Qatar

British Airways had stopped some flights to the Middle East over the weekend

UK flights restored to Dubai and Qatar

NATO says alliance's new defence investment plan will be 5% of GDP to ensure security and defence.

NATO to hike defence spending to 5% of GDP in major security push as chief warns Iran on developing nuclear weapon

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has announced his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer.

Veteran news presenter Dermot Murnaghan diagnosed with ‘advanced’ stage 4 prostate cancer

Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, this year.

Holiday horror as five bodies with shackled hands and feet wash up on beach at tourist hotspot

Police speak to a person taking part in a demonstration at Trafalgar Square in London in support of Palestine Action.

Palestine Action clashes with police after government 'bans' them under anti-terror laws

Exclusive
Ellis' killer is still at large one year after his murder.

'So broken and lost' : Mum desperate for answers over son's gun murder as killer remains at large

Ugly scenes break out as Palestine Action protesters and police clash in Trafalgar Square

Palestine Action clashes with police after government 'bans' them under anti-terror laws