English Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced England will instate a six-week lockdown as of Wednesday, January 5. This comes as the country is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infections.
The lockdown is an attempt to save hospitals from collapsing entirely. Schools have been closed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Johnson addressed the nation on Monday, January 4 and said that people need to stay home in order to ‘protect the NHS (National Health Service) and save lives.’
The lockdown will be in effect until mid-February. Britain is rolling out two vaccines currently, from Oxford University and AstraZeneca.
The government have published the new lockdown rules and those pertaining to international travel include:
You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting.
If you do need to travel overseas (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.
UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning.
Foreign nationals are subject to the ‘Stay at Home’ regulations. You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted. This means you must not go on holiday.
If you are visiting the UK, you may return home. You should check whether there are any restrictions in place at your destination.
For more on the new lockdown rules, click here.
In an effort to clamp down on socialising, Johnson has also banned alcohol takeaways and all restaurants, pubs and other hospitality spaces have to close to customers as of Wednesday.
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