Level 5 alert: British PM declares national lockdown, schools to remain closed
Level 5 alert: British PM declares national lockdown, schools to remain closed
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Another national lockdown to curb further spread of the novel coronavirus was declared by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday. In a televised address, Johnson said, “The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet, but I really do believe we’re entering the last phase of the struggle,”

If our understanding of our virus does not improve, he went on to say, “If our understanding of our virus does not change. If fatalities fall and the vaccine takes effect, schools will only reopen after February 2021.

PM Johnson said, “We’re rolling out the fastest growing vaccination programme in our collective memory,” In the UK, we’ve vaccinated more people than in the rest of Europe combined.

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“Today, the U K chief medical officers have alerted that the nation should keep moving to High Alert 5 meaning that if steps are not taken, NHS [National Health Service] power may be overloaded within 21 days,” Johnson said in his address to the home nation.

Until at least mid-February, the national lockdown will remain in force. All non-essential shops and personal care services will remain closed, according to the UK government’s guidelines. Restaurants will be permitted to operate takeout services only.

Furthermore, primary and secondary schools and colleges will also remain closed for physical classes, the only exception being children of frontline workers. UK universities were also instructed to inform students that until at least mid-February they might not be able to return to campuses.

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In parts of Britain, the measures come amid a spike in Covid-19 cases. In fact, as compared to the previous week, the UK recorded a 30 percent increase in the number of patients being treated for coronavirus in hospitals across the island nation.