Boris Johnson announced a month-long lockdown for England, starting on Thursday.
Under the new measures, people will be told to stay at home and only leave for ‘specific reasons’ such as buying essential items, going to school or exercise.
Government scientists warned that if nothing was done, the rate of infection and deaths would pass the peak of the first wave earlier this year.
The Prime Minister announced that the government will extend the furlough scheme until December to help businesses forced once again to close.
Parliament will debate and vote on the measures this Wednesday and they will come into force at 00.01 on Thursday
“We must act now,” Johnson said, flanked by his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and his chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance. “Unless we act, we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day.”
The government will revive its emergency coronavirus wage subsidy scheme to ensure workers who are temporarily laid off during a new England-wide lockdown receive 80% of their pay, he said.
Essential shops, schools, and universities will remain open, Johnson said, and while elite sports will continue, amateur sports for adults and children will be asked to stop.
