LONDONERS may very well be ARRESTED for travelling residence for Christmas as journey out and in of Tier 4 is outlawed from midnight tonight.
Millions of Brits were today told their Christmas would be cancelled as London, the South East and East had been all moved into the brand new lockdown tier.
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Folks won’t be allowed to journey out and in of LondonCredit score: EPA
And Boris Johnson at this time introduced journey and totally different households mixing will likely be banned underneath Tier 4.
Talking at this time, Boris mentioned: “As PM it is my obligation to take the tough choice to do what is true.”
A part of the restrictions additionally imply Brits may very well be arrested in the event that they attempt to journey in or out of the capital or different Tier 4 areas.
Locals have been informed they need to not keep in a single day from residence in the event that they stay in Tier 4.
In line with the drastic restrictions, non-essential shops, hairdressers and entertainment venues will also have to close.
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Streets in London which can be normally teeming with Christmas customers have already taken successful with standard areas like Regents Avenue seen abandoned.
The plan to permit Brits to type social bubbles over 5 days was thrown out, with solely these in Tiers 1 to three allowed to type a bubble on Christmas Day itself.
The PM – who had insisted simply 5 days in the past that festive bubbles would go forward – might have felt bounced into the drastic measures in a bid to cease a mutant pressure of coronavirus, which was recognized within the South East, spreading all through Britain.
The brand new variant pressure of the virus which causes Covid-19 could also be as much as 70% extra transmissible and will enhance the R worth by 0.4, the PM mentioned.
Professor Whitty has knowledgeable the World Well being Organisation that the brand new variant can unfold extra quickly.
He mentioned whereas there was no proof the brand new pressure causes the next mortality, pressing work was underway to research it.
Regent Avenue was very quiet on the final weekend earlier than ChristmasCredit score: � 2020 by Mike Raison/dmg media Licensing
Folks residing in Tier 4 areas have been informed to remain at residence for ChristmasCredit score: AP:Related Press
Boris Johnson is anticipated to announce Christmas is cancelled for thousands and thousands of BritsCredit score: Crown Copyright
Prof Whitty mentioned: “Given this newest improvement, it’s now extra important than ever that the general public proceed to take motion of their space to cut back transmission.”
The new strain is blamed for a sudden surge in hospitalisations and The Solar understands proof reveals a dramatic hike in optimistic instances in London prior to now week.
It may very well be weeks till it’s identified simply how harmful the brand new pressure may very well be.
Stats launched yesterday confirmed these residing with Covid in England have risen by virtually a fifth in per week.
The ONS mentioned 567,300 individuals had the bug between December 6 and 12 — equal to 1 particular person in 95. The most recent copy R quantity is now between 1.1 and 1.2.
However the public do seem like listening to the PM — as official figures present solely half of Brits are planning to type a festive bubble.
That features 26 per cent saying they plan to go to household and associates however not keep in a single day in contrast with 52 per cent final 12 months.