England back in lockdown and schools closed
Schools in England will be closed from tomorrow
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
England is heading back into full lockdown to try and curb the rapid spread of Covid-19.
From midnight on the 5th January people across England will be required to stay at home except for essential purposes, including food shopping, work, exercise and care duties.
Schools will also be closed from tomorrow until at least February half term in an effort to try and curb the transmission of Covid-19.
In a televised address, the Prime Minister told the nation to stay indoors other than for limited exceptions, with measures expected to last until mid-February.
The Prime Minister's announcement comes hours after Nicola Sturgeon implemented national lockdown in Scotland.
In his televised address, Mr Johnson said the lockdown was necessary as the new variant of the virus is between 50 and 70% more transmissible.
He also confirmed that hospital admissions increased by a third to 27,000 and that on the 29th December, new record of positive tests up to 80,000.
Mr Johnson also confirmed that the number of deaths are up 20%.
A new lockdown:
Boris Johnson said:
“With most of the country already under extreme measures, it’s clear that we must do more together to control while our vaccines are rolled out. In England, we must go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant.”
This means the government is once again instructing you to say at home. You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law, such as to shop for essentials, to work if you absolutely cannot work from home, to exercise, to seek medical attention such as getting a Covid test or to escape domestic abuse”
Schools to be closed
The Prime Minister has said that all schools and colleges should move to remote learning until mid-February.
Announcing that all schools in England will shut, Mr Johnson said: “Because we now have to do everything we possibly can to stop the spread of the disease, primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow, except for vulnerable children and the children of keyworkers.”
He said early years settings such as nurseries will still be accessible.
Mr Johnson said the move on schools means “it’s not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer, as normal”.
He said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will work with regulator Ofqual to put in place “alternative arrangements”.
University students should not return to campus either.
The new lockdown restrictions:
Can I leave the house?
People will only be allowed to leave their house for limited reasons, including shopping for essentials, work or education, exercise, and to seek medical assistance.
Mr Johnson said residents can leave their homes for shopping for necessities such as food and medicine, but only as infrequently as possible.
Are schools open?
Schools are closed to most pupils, except the children of key workers and those who are vulnerable. Teaching will continue remotely online.
Do I have to go into work?
People will be able to go to work if it is impossible to work from home, such as those working in the construction sector or who are critical workers. All others must work from home. Cleaners and other trades people will still be able to work in people's homes. Those shielding should not go to work
They are advised not to go to work even if they cannot work from home.
Are support bubbles still allowed?
Support bubbles are still allowed. This is when two households link up, effectively forming one household. Only certain people are allowed to form support bubbles, including adults living alone and single adults living with children. More information forming support bubbles can be found here.
Can I go shopping?
All non-essential shops, hairdressers and personal care venues must close. Essential shops, including food stores and supermarkets, will remain open.
Can weddings and funerals go ahead?
Weddings and funerals can go ahead with strict restrictions on the number in attendance. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, while commemorative events such as wakes can be attended by 6 people. Weddings and civil partnerships can only take place with 6 attendees under exceptional circumstances, such as an urgent marriage where one person is terminally ill.
What's happening with universities?
Students studying courses which require formative training, such as medicine, dentistry, education, veterinary science and social work, will return to face-to-face teaching as normal. Students studying other courses should, where possible, remain where they are and start their term remotely with online learning.
Are restaurants and pubs closed?
All cafes, pubs and restaurants should close. Restaurants and other hospitality venues can continue delivery or takeaway services, but people will not be able to add alcohol to that order.
I want to exercise, are gyms open and sports allowed?
Gyms and leisure facilities must close. Exercise outside will be allowed – preferably limited to once a day – with members of your household or support bubble or one other person from another household, such as going for a walk or run. Exercise should be taken locally.
Can I go to church or other places of worship?
Places of worship can remain open for individual prayers and communal worship, but people should only visit with their household or support bubble and maintain social distancing throughout.
What about childcare?
All primary and secondary schools as well as colleges will move to remote learning, but early years settings such as nurseries and childminders can remain open, and existing childcare bubbles will be allowed to stay in place.
Can I play sport?
Outdoor gyms, tennis courts and golf courses must close, and outdoor team sports will not be permitted. Organised outdoor sport for disabled people can continue.
Premier League and other elite sports that already have in place strict testing regimes and their own bubbles will be allowed to continue.
Can I still move house?
Yes, people can still move house. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to operate. You can still attend property viewings.
Covid Alert level raised to five
Ahead of the Prime Minister's address, the UK’s chief medical officers agreed to raise the Covid-19 alert level to five – its highest – as they warned that the NHS could be overwhelmed within 21 days “in several areas” without further action.
The latest figures showed a further 407 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday and there were a record 58,784 more lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
Parliament will be recalled on Wednesday so MPs can debate the measures that were announced tonight.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.