With the country witnessing a surge in the covid-19 infections, England has called for another lockdown for a month. The record of one million cases along with the chance of a second wave hitting the nation leading to disastrous ends has paved the way for this shutdown.
As the UK registers over 20,000 new virus cases, researchers have warned that the worst-case estimation of deaths, i.e. 80,000 can also be surpassed if the present numbers continue to remain stagnant or get higher.
After news of a lockdown got leaked in the media houses, Boris Johnson hurriedly arranged for a briefing at England Downing Street. He said the shutdown will begin at 12.01 am on Thursday and end on December 2nd.
People will be permitted to go out into the streets only for certain causes like work, education, exercise, buying essentials and medicines, and giving aid to the ones at risk with the centers and shops associated with these reasons staying open. However, Johnson said that the sports for beginners including children and adults will be told to cease while professional training for sports can continue. Stores offering non-essentials will also remain shut.
No dine-ins will be allowed with pubs and restaurants staying open only for takeaways.
“Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative,” Johnson said, with his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and his chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance at his side.
“Unless we act, we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day,” he added.
The British government had started a program that paid millions of furloughed workers 80% of what they previously received, prior to the pandemic. The scheme was however going to end on Saturday but has now told to get continued till the end of the new lockdown.
The extension of the program has come as a relief to many as they now have a cushion to fall back on, guaranteed by the government, even during the lockdown as the pandemic isn’t just a problem concerning health but also financial black holes.
The bothersome restrictions have come as the scientists issued warnings regarding the infections leading to worse situations with an immediate need to change the direction of the result. This was also due to the possibility of people gathering in masses for Christmas and New Year later this year.
As Johnson himself fell prey to the virus, getting tested positive in late March and hospitalized in early April, his opponents slammed his baby steps towards the imposition of the first lockdown.
France and Germany too earlier this week, announced the lockdowns in their respective countries. Austria and Greece headed for a nighttime shutdown with no dine-ins and only takeaway options for all pubs and restaurants till the end of November.
The UK stands fifth at the list of the most fatalities in the world, topped by the United States.
