PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has revealed a second national lockdown from Thursday in a bid to ease the pressure on the NHS.
Number 10 was forced to reveal its plans for a month-long shutdown this evening (Saturday) after plans for an announcement on Monday were leaked.
MPs will vote on a proposed lockdown from 12.01am on Thursday (November 5) until Wednesday, December 2 this Wednesday (November 4).
Should it be approved in the House of Commons, all non-essential shops, leisure centres, cinemas, pubs and restaurants will be closed. However takeaway services will be allowed to continue.
The furlough scheme, due to end tonight, will be extended into December to cover the wages of people forced to stay at home. Mr Johnson said further details of the scheme would be revealed on Monday.
However, schools and universities will remain open as will workplaces where employees are unable to work from home, such as in the construction industry. Childcare providers such as nurseries will also remain open, according to the Prime Minister.
Residents will only be able to leave home to go to school or work, for medical reasons. to shop for food and essentials or provide care for vulnerable people or volunteer.
Speaking after the Government’s scientific advisors Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty revealed a series of data showing the state of the infections and hospitalisations in England, Mr Johnson said he had a ‘moral’ duty to act.
“It’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families to be together at Christmas. It’s is going to be different this year, perhaps very different,” he said.
“We will get through this, though we must act now to get through this Autumn surge
Should Parliament approve the plans on Wednesday, the proposed lockdown will be longer than the two week ‘circuit breaker’ proposed by Labour leader Keir Starmer earlier this month.
At the time a Government source said: “Starmer is a shameless opportunist playing political games in the middle of a global pandemic.”
