British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday declared another nationwide lockdown to curb further spread of the novel coronavirus. "The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet, but I really do believe we're entering the last phase of the struggle," Johnson said in a televised address.

He went on to add, "If our understanding of our virus does not change. If deaths fall and vaccine takes effect, then schools would re-open only after February 2021."

PM Johnson said, "We are rolling out the biggest vaccination programme in our history. We have vaccinated more people in the UK than in the rest of Europe combined."

"Today, the United Kingdom's chief medical officers have advised that the country should move to Alert Level 5 meaning that if action is not taken, NHS [National Health Service] capacity may be overwhelmed within 21 days," Johnson said in his address to the nation.

The nationwide lockdown will remain in force until at least mid-February. According to the UK government's guidelines, all non-essential shops and personal care services will remain closed. Restaurants will only be allowed to operate takeout services.

https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/alert-level-5-british-pm-declares-nationwide-lockdown-schools-to-remain-shut-1755892-2021-01-05