New lockdown in UK after COVID cases cross 1 million mark

LONDON: Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Britain, announced a month-long lockdown starting from November 5 till December 2. In his television address to the nation, he asserted on the grim situation in the country and said, “Unless we act, we could see death in this country running at several thousand a day.” The scientists had warned that COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths could soon surpass the levels witnessed in the peak in March-April this year. The United Kingdom has been recording more than 20,000 cases a day with the biggest official death toll in Europe.

Britain crossed a total of 1 million COVID-19 positive cases on October 31. The country also becomes the third country after France and Germany to impose total lockdown after Europe witnessed a resurgence of cases due to the second wave of coronavirus infections.

Under the new lockdown, non-essential shops will remain closed, and bars and restaurants can only offer take-out. People will be allowed to leave the house for an only limited number of reasons which also involves exercise. Foreign holidays will be put on hold. Educational settings, construction sites, and manufacturing businesses will remain open. The government also intends on reviving its emergency coronavirus wage subsidy scheme in order to ensure that the workers who may get temporarily laid off during the new England-wide lockdown, receive 80 per cent of their pay.