UK prime minister from a special statement made at 8 pm on Monday announced the third national lockdown as coronavirus cases showed a steep rise during the past few weeks pressurising NHS and national resources. With the new variant of the virus, the case number jumped to more than 50,000 new cases per day with over 4000 deaths during last week.
From midnight onwards from the 4th of January, 2021 all of England goes into lockdown eliminating the tier system completely and the government is instructing you to stay at home. Scotland also goes into national lockdown from midnight Monday. Wales and Northern Ireland is under tight restrictions since early December but still has not decided on complete lockdown.
In his speech, the prime minister pointed out that the number of daily cases has gone up more than 20 %compared to the peak of the 1st wave of the coronavirus and NHS is expected to be saturated within the next 21 days.
3rd national lockdown restrictions will be similar to the restrictions we had during the first lockdown but, this time we have a glimpse of hope as the UK has started the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the mankind
National Lockdown-What it means to you.
Schools Universities and other educational activities
                In contrast to the 2nd national lockdown, Schools will be closed to all children except for keyworkers children’s and children’s with special needs. All education activities will be done remotely at least until mid-February. Nurseries will remain open
University students are required to stay where ever they are and resume their academic activities online. however, those who follow courses which require direct face to face training will be allowed to return to their place of study and will be required to be tested once they arrive at their relevant institutions or will be required to self isolate for 10 days. This will include student following courses such as medicine and dentistry, allied health subjects, veterinary science, initial teacher training, social care and courses which require PSRB assessment.
Going out
Unless you have a reasonable excuse you should not leave your home.
This includes,
Work – as long as it’s unreasonable for you to work from home you may leave home, this includes but is not limited to people working with essential and emergency services and all of the positions which require attendance in person
Essential shopping– you may leave your home to buy things for you or on behalf of someone who is either disabled, self-isolating or vulnerable.
Child care- you can visit anyone in your support bubble in order to assist them where permitted by law. This includes providing informal child care, care for disabled or vulnerable persons or in order to provide emergency support,
Exercise– you can exercise outdoors once a day by your self, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. social distancing is to be maintained while doing this and you should not travel outside your locality.
Sport and leisure Team sports are not permitted and gyms, swimming pools, tennis and golf clubs will be closed.
Medical appointments– you may leave your residence in order to attend medical appointments for medical emergencies or to get a covid test done.
other visits- you may leave home in order to flee the risk of harm, injury or illness, to visit someone in a care home, to assist someone giving birth or accompany a person to a health facility.
Animal Welfare– you can go to veterinary surgeries for advice and treatments.
Life events– you may attend a funeral, wedding. You may also visit a place of worship provided you do not associate with anyone outside your household or support bubble.
A maximum of 30 people can attend a funeral in a covid secure venue and up to 6 people can attend an ash scattering.
Weddings can take place with a maximum of 6 attendance and should take place in only exceptional circumstances.
What shops will be opened and closed
Supermarkets, pharmacies, off-licences, banks, car repair shops, car washes, Bike shops, Garden centres remain open
Non essential shops such as hairdressers, personal care saloons, cinemas and entertainment venues will be closed
Restaurants and hospitality venues can continue to operate as delivery only but should not include alcohol distribution.
International Travel
To travel internationally you should have legal permission to leave home (ex Work) and should consider the public health advice of the visiting country.
Uk citizens who have travelled abroad are not required to return home immediately. But you are not permitted to go on holidays now onwards until restrictions eased off.
Foreigners are subjected to stay at home regulations but they may return home if they are visiting the UK.
Moving Home
you can still move your home similar to tier 4 restrictions. Home moving and letting agencies can continue to work and house viewing is allowed while adhering to Health guidelines.
Covid 19 vaccination and lockdown
The miracle vaccine is 95% effective in protecting you from the disease and its complications but it will not prevent you from spreading the infections. So the lockdown rules will be same as per non vaccinated peoples. In fact, you have a social responsibility to protect people who are not vaccinated.
Breaking the law
After parliament gathering on Wednesday (06/01/2020) these implementations become laws. police can take legal action against anyone going out without a reasonable reason.
You will be offered a fixed penalty notice of £200 for the first offence and amount will be doubled subsequently up to a maximum of £6400
For more details Click here Gov.UK
……….Good luck we can do it………