Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeTrendingEngland Enters Four-week Lockdown to Control Second Wave of COVID-19

England Enters Four-week Lockdown to Control Second Wave of COVID-19

London: In the middle of an ongoing second COVID-19 wave, a fresh four-week lockdown in England came into force on Thursday, under which the public will have to remain at home, while non-fundamental shops, bars and gyms will stay shut.

The lockdown became effective after England  MPs on Wednesday voted in its favour by 516 to 39, a greater part of 477, the BBC announced.

It will supplant the three tiers of regional limitations that were beforehand set up across England.

On December 2, MPs will again decide on the next steps required to handle the infection before the lockdown reaches an end.

Under the new guidelines, households are restricted from mixing indoors or in private gardens, except if in a support bubble.

All retailers, leisure and amusement venues that are not essential will be closed, with bars and restaurants will be shut aside from takeaways.

In a notice, Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, stated that those liable for the most “egregious” violations of the guidelines would face stiff fines.

Not like the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges, and nurseries will stay open, and individuals will have the option to meet someone else who they don’t live within an outdoor public spot, for example, a beach or park.

During a debate in the House of Commons prior to the vote, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the second lockdown was “not something any of us wanted to do” but rather “I am not ready to face the risk with the lives of British people”, the BBC reported.

He said to the MPs, “While it pains me to call for such restrictions on lives, liberty, and business I have no doubt that these restrictions represent the best and safest path for our country.”

Johnson insisted that the lockdown will stop automatically on December 2 and he trusts “very much” to “get this country going again” in the approach to Christmas.

On Thursday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will address the House of Commons during which he will highlight what economic help will be accessible to businesses and occupations during the lockdown.

The UK reported 492 news COVID-19 deaths, the highest daily figure since May 19, and 25,177 confirmed cases on Wednesday.

With the new counts, the UK’s general caseload and death count remained at 1,102,305 and 47,832, respectively.

 

 

source: with input from ians