Boris Johnson to address nation again on first day of full lockdown

The prime minister is to give a press conference at 5pm today.

Boris Johnson will update the nation alongside chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance at the briefing from Downing Street.

It comes on the first day of a third national lockdown for England.

From today, schools have closed for in person teaching and moved to remote learning, except for vulnerable children and those of key workers, in a move which will last until at least February half term.

People have been told to ‘stay at home’ except for limited exceptions such as brief exercise or for medical reasons.

The strict lockdown restrictions could remain in place until the end of March, Cabinet minister Michael Gove cautioned this morning.

He said the Government cannot be certain that they will be able to start easing measures in February and some could remain in place until the end of March.

Parliament is set to be recalled to sit on Wednesday so MPs can debate the measures, but Mr Johnson has urged people to start following them already.

Also today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set out a £4.6 billion plan to help businesses that are being forced to close through the third lockdown.

It includes one-off top up grants of up to £9,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure venues.

The Chancellor has already extended the furlough scheme until the end of April.

More follows.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article