COVID-19: Christmas Rules Tightened As UK PM Announces ‘Tier 4’ Lockdown For London

United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced ‘Tier 4’ level of COVID restrictions for South East England, including London.

The British PM ditched his previous plans for a five-day relaxation of COVID rules over Christmas and told people in ‘Tier 4’ areas they will no longer be allowed to form “Christmas bubbles” with other households.

The restrictions, equivalent to a full lockdown and expected to come into force on Sunday, will affect millions of people.

The move was prompted by fears over a new strain of coronavirus.

Addressing a news conference at Downing Street on Saturday, Johnson said, “Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, and the potential risk it poses, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.”

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He said analysis by the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) suggests the new strain could increase the R rate by “0.4 or greater” and might be “up to 70% more transmissible”.

“While we are fairly certain the variant is transmitted more quickly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness,” the prime minister said.

“Equally there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant.”

The UK government announced a further 27,052 confirmed COVID-19 cases across the UK on Saturday, with 534 more people having died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.

The new Tier 4 measures in southeast England will see all non-essential shops, gyms, and hairdressers close, with people ordered to stay home apart from limited exceptions such as work – if people cannot work from home – education, childcare and exercise.

However, communal worship will be allowed to continue under the toughened restrictions.