Daily US Times: Boris Johnson has announced a second national coronavirus lockdown for England to prevent a “medical and moral disaster” for the National Health Service (NHS).
The Prime Minister said Christmas may be “very different,” but he hoped taking action now would mean families can gather.
Restaurants, pubs, gyms and non-essential shops will have to close for four weeks from Thursday, Mr Johnson added.
But unlike the restrictions in spring, universities, schools and colleges can stay open.
The restrictions would be eased after 2 December and regions would go back to the tiered system, he 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 said that he was “truly, truly sorry” for the impact on businesses, but added that the furlough system paying 80% of employee wages will be extended through November.
He said “No responsible prime minister” could ignore figures which suggested deaths would reach “several thousand a day”, with a “peak of mortality” worse than the country saw in April.
People are being told to stay at home, under the new national lockdown restrictions, unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as work which cannot be done from home and education.
And people are also allowed to leave home for food, exercise medical reasons and other essential shopping and providing care for vulnerable people or for volunteering.
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