UK Covid-19 Lockdown Bans All Non-essential Travel

Britain is set to enter a full lockdown including a ban on all non-essential travel on Thursday, after a spike in coronavirus cases which are overwhelming the country’s health system (NHS).

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was “no alternative” as the country faces a “medical and moral disaster” if stringent measures are not taken now to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

“We must take action now to protect our NHS. In England, from Thursday until the start of December, you must stay at home. Non-essential shops, leisure & entertainment venues will be closed. Pubs, bars & restaurants must close except for takeaway and delivery services,” Johnson said.

On Monday, the UK recorded 18,950 new confirmed Covid-19 cases. Lockdown regulations take effect on Thursday (November 5) and end on December 2, when experts will decide further action on a local and regional basis according to the latest data and trends.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo source: gov.uk

Restrictions as of Thursday across Britain include:

– working from home, no meetings indoors or in private gardens, individuals can meet one other person in a public space;
– non-essential retail will close – only click-and-collect purchases will be allowed;
– pubs, bars, restaurants will close – only takeaway and delivery will be allowed;
– indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, entertainment venues, personal care facilities, places of worship will be closed;
– construction sites and manufacturing workplaces will remain open;
– weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be allowed and funerals will be limited to a maximum of 30 people;
– overnight stays, staying in a second home as well as all non-essential travel in the UK or abroad by private or public transport have been banned.

High risk or vulnerable groups are advised to be “especially careful”.

Johnson also presented a rough draft of measures to support businesses and jobs including the extension of a shutdown scheme, adding that the government would double its support from 40 percent to 80 percent of trading profits for the self-employed starting in December.

The UK government has released the following video with the three simple actions that should be done for all to protect each other: