Boris Johnson announces new national lockdown for England after COVID-19 cases rise rapidly
Author: Wardah Sempa | Monday 4th January 2021
Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown for England - with people instructed to "stay at home" as they did during last March's first shutdown. The prime minister revealed this today after being told that COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly in every part of the country due to the new coronavirus variant.
The public are also being asked to follow the new rules. This is the third time a national shutdown has been introduced and this time it will last until the middle of February.
People across the whole country must now stay at home apart from five exceptions:
- For work, if people cannot work from home, such as those in the construction sector or key workers.
- To shop for necessities such as food or medicines.
- To exercise once per day at a local location. This can include with one other person from outside someone's household or support/childcare bubble.
- To provide care or help to vulnerable people.
- To attend medical appointments, get medical care or a coronavirus test, or to flee the threat of harm or violence.
