England national lockdown will end on December 2 but with conditions, according to U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“For the first time since this wretched virus began, we can see a route out of the pandemic,” he said. “We know in our hearts that next year we will succeed.”
Based on his announcement, England national lockdown will be lifted and then replaced by a three-tiered system of restrictions. This system has varying degrees of rules implemented in areas of the country depending on their number of Covid-19 cases. However, he pointed out that the rules will be tougher than before the second lockdown.
“The scientific advice I’m afraid is that as we come out the tiers need to be made tougher,” he added. Johnson noted he would identify the areas that will come under which tiers on Thursday.
New restrictions
When the lockdown is lifted, shops, gyms, and hairdressers can operate again while outdoor sports can reopen.
In Tier 1, people must limit travel and work from home where possible. Meanwhile, in Tier 2, bars and restaurants can only offer alcohol with a meal.
Indoor and outdoor sports venues in Tiers 1 and 2 can serve “limited numbers” of spectators, while “business events” can carry on.
In Tier 3, indoor hospitality businesses will shut down except for takeaway while all indoor entertainment venues remain closed.
The final orders at bars and restaurants can be accepted until 10 p.m. from Dec. 2, with closing at 11 p.m. Johnson explained that the government will improve the “enforcement ability” of local authorities, authorizing them to order the shutdown of premises.
The prime minister also mentioned what he called a “major community testing program” for areas in Tier 3.
“If it works we should be able to offer those who test negative the prospect of fewer restrictions,” he said, stressing that people who tested negative for the virus would be able to gather in certain places with others who also tested negative.
Leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have yet to finalize Christmas plans, Johnson said. He mentioned that it would be a “special time-limited Christmas.”
“I can’t say that Christmas will be normal this year,” said Johnson. “In a period of adversity, time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths.”
However, he explained the nation cannot afford to “throw caution to the winds and allow the virus to flare up again, forcing us all back into lockdown in January.”
He also said that families are advised to make a “careful judgment” about the risk of visiting elderly relatives.
The government initiated a second lockdown early in November as a response to the second wave of cases. The U.K. has posted over 1.5 million Covid-19 infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, it has reported 55,120 Covid-related deaths.
The British government is reportedly under pressure to allow businesses to operate sooner rather than later due to economic challenges. The U.K. economy rose by 15.5% in the third quarter after a 19.8% decline in the previous quarter following the first national lockdown.
