iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
It aims to support SMEs by offering industry-related advice, data sharing, and collaboration expertise
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Covid-19: Twenty million in England added to toughest tier of restrictions
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference announcing tightening of COVID-19 tiers, at Downing Street in London, Britain December 30, 2020.
London, United Kingdom - Case numbers have risen sharply in the UK in the last 2 weeks, driven in part by a new strain that is up to 70 per cent more transmissible than the original.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered millions more people to live under the strictest Covid-19 restrictions from Thursday to counter a new variant of the virus that is spreading at a "sheer pace" across the country.
Case numbers have risen sharply in Britain in the last two weeks, driven in part by a new strain that is up to 70 per cent more transmissible than the original.
Also read: England delays reopening of schools as Covid cases surge
The government, which reported another 981 deaths from the virus in the last 24 hours, said three quarters of England's population would be in the top tier of restrictions from 0001 on Thursday, covering 44.1 million people.
In those areas, hospitality venues and non-essential shops are closed and households cannot mix.
"We must face the reality that the sheer pace of the spread of this new variant requires us now to take even tougher action in some areas," Johnson told a news conference.
He urged people to stay at home on Thursday night and avoid any public New Year's Eve celebrations.
The government also said secondary schools would delay and stagger their reopening after Christmas to enable testing to be implemented, while some primary schools in the worst-hit areas will not open to all pupils.
Britain has suffered one of the highest death tolls in Europe and the deepest economic contraction from the pandemic, spending much of 2020 in varying levels of lockdown to prevent its hospitals from being overwhelmed.
In Scotland, large areas are under tough lockdowns where pubs, restaurants and cafes must close, while schools will open later than expected. Northern Ireland and Wales have their own similar, tough restrictions.
Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the country's hospitals were coming under very significant pressure, with the number of people battling the virus on wards or intensive care as high as it was during the first wave.
"Unfortunately, this new variant is now spreading across most of England and cases are doubling fast," he told parliament. "It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 4 to a wider area."
London and surrounding areas were put into the newly created Tier 4 on Dec. 19. The Midlands, the north east, parts of the north west and parts of the south west will join them on Thursday.
More news from
For the first time since the Covid pandemic struck, millions of Haj pilgrims will be performing their rituals at the holy mosque
First-season handler has long had faith in Ahmed Al Shaikh-owned colt's credentials as an Epsom Derby contender
As an endeavour to promote emotional wellbeing in the society, the institute offers free of cost wellness sessions for people to experience
Adnoc plans to provide 5,000 jobs through the programme in the coming years, in addition to the 5,000 already created
We have taken a log of the most popular vehicles for 2022 and that too by countries
Ever wondered why letting go is so hard? These tips might make it easier
The Hive Theatre Festival is back for its 7th edition with a number of plays being performed by young actors