England coronavirus second lockdown won’t last more than four weeks

“The UK Government and the devolved administrations are working together on a joint approach to the Christmas period, because all of us want to ensure families can come together, wherever they live,”   Britian’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

In recent days, many European nations — including Belgium, Russia, France, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and the UK — have reported their highest daily virus death tolls in months, and sometimes ever.

With almost 48,000 virus-related deaths, the UK has the biggest official death toll in Europe from COVID-19 and is grappling with more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the lockdown in England, which came into force on Thursday (local time), will not last more than four weeks.

“The advice I’ve received suggests that four weeks is enough for these measures to make a real impact,” he told a media conference, adding that things would improve by the spring.

All non-essential venues — which in England includes pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, golf courses, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment places and stores selling items like books, clothing and sneakers — closed on Thursday.

Unlike the United Kingdom’s spring lockdown, schools and universities in England are remaining open this time, as are construction sites and factories.

Mr Johnson said he hoped Britain could return to some form of normality before Christmas.