The mutation of the rapidly spreading coronavirus in London and the south-east of England is frightening. After listening to the advice of virologists and fellow ministers, conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to take drastic measures, announcing a strict lockdown from tomorrow for the capital and neighboring countries and thus the slogans of “stay home”, “stay at home”. But returned. “, because the risk of getting sick is increasing rapidly. In the event of an emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) was immediately alerted and the British alert system was replaced with the creation of a new, even more severe level, This is called “Tier 4” (which is added to the other three existing ones), and applies to millions of people living in metros and large southern and eastern parts of the country.
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This translates into a “cancelled” Christmas, as the entire channel’s media has already titled, and above all many of Her Majesty’s themes will be the Prime Minister’s promise of easing restrictions in recent days, which , once again had to retreat. The announcement was made at a news conference in Downing Street. “The virus type spreads faster than the previous one – Johnson declared – with no evidence of being more lethal, causing more serious diseases, or the fact that the vaccine is less effective”. Johnson, however, immediately clarified what he meant by “fast transmission potential”: We’re talking about 70% higher than the version known and contested by doctors so far. A percentage that is reflected in the alarming number of infections reported by the prime minister.
Infections from Covid recorded in the last 24 hours in the Kingdom were over 27,000, compared to 28,500 yesterday, while victims rose to 534 compared to 489 yesterday. The premier stressed that although the virus type is concentrated in ‘Tier 4’ areas, it is still present throughout the national territory. “Therefore we must make sacrifices this Christmas for others in the future,” he insisted, conscious, and said several times, “with a heavy heart” in a sign that would certainly disappoint the millions of British people who wanted to. To celebrate with loved ones.
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The new ‘Tier 4’ measures prohibit meeting more than one person in public outdoor places, except at home, with some exceptions (work and education); Travel abroad is not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances, while shops selling non-essentials, as well as indoor gyms and recreational facilities, remain closed. These measures are similar to those introduced in England in November and will be in effect for two weeks, with a review expected on December 30. A new lockdown was imposed for Wales soon after Johnson’s announcement, which was created by ‘First Minister’ Mark Drakeford. While Scotland introduces more restrictive measures for the Christmas period, with leader Nicola Sturgeon who has opted for a “stricter ban” on travel to other areas of the kingdom. Furthermore, it looks like a new lockdown is coming, starting 26 December: meetings between families are forbidden, public places and non-essential shops are closed.
Chris Whitty, the head of the health authority in England, also spoke at a press conference in London and described the situation in very clear and alarming terms. “We are facing a really dramatic increase in the proportion of cases,” he said, pointing fingers at the new version of Covid. In fact, tests have shown that the mutation now appears in 59% of all recorded infections in the east of England and reaches a peak of 62% in London. The professor stressed that this is certainly a new “terrible” moment in the pandemic, but it is not the worst, thanks to the treatments and the vaccination campaign that has just begun. The variant is still being studied by scientists and is done in full transparency with international health authorities, starting with the WHO. It is up to the British to once again in their history remain calm and move on. “Everything will be different on Easter,” he tried to reassure Johnson.
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