In a bid to tackle the surge in coronavirus cases in England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now announced tougher restrictions for the nation.
The Prime Minister revealed the new measures during a televised speech from Downing Street this evening (January 4).
In the announcement, Boris Johnson announced a new lockdown, urging people to “stay at home” from Wednesday (January 6).
Under the new lockdown measures, people will be allowed to leave their homes when it’s impossible to work from home, to shop for essentials, to provide care and to attend medical appointments.
People will also be able to leave their homes to exercise – which can be with one other person outside from another household, support or childcare bubble.
Mr Johnson also announced all schools and colleges should move to remote learning from tomorrow until half term in mid-February. This excludes children of key workers and vulnerable students.
The PM also said it will be unfair for all exams to go ahead for students this summer, adding that “alternative arrangements” will be arranged.
Boris Johnson ended his speech with: “Thanks to the miracle of science, not only is the end in sight, but we know exactly how we will get there. But for now I’m afraid you must once again stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
The latest set of measures for England come after a further 58,784 cases and an additional 407 deaths within 28 days of a positive test result were reported today.