IT’S BACK TO TOTAL LOCKDOWN

❑ PM announces stronger steps as virus cases surge ❑ Schools, colleges in city and county stay shut

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown which will include the closing of schools and a ban on households mixing.

Mr Johnson announced the lockdown in an 8pm TV address last night, following the “rapidly escalating” number of infections due to new strains of the virus.

The new rules will come into force from the early hours of tomorrow morning.

But the Prime Minister asked everyone to immediately stay at home as the UK moved to alert level 5 for the first time, which means the NHS is seriously in danger of being overwhelmed

All primaries, secondaries and colleges will move to remote learning from tomorrow except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils who can attend in person. Exams are not expected to go ahead as normal this year and the Education Secretary will work with Ofqual to come up with a solution.

Early years, such as nurseries, alternative provision and special schools, remain open. Existing rules on childcare and support bubbles will apply. Nursery age, vulnerable and children of critical workers over five can still attend childcare.

Students will not be able to return to university and will be expected to study from their current residence where possible until at least mid-February. In person teaching at university will only take place for a small number of courses such as those studying to work in the health service.

All non-essential retail hospitality and personal care services must shut if they are not already. Restaurants and similar establishments can continue delivery or takeaway – but takeaway or click and collect of alcohol will no longer be allowed.

Essential retailers, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, and builders merchants, may stay open.

Places of worship will be allowed to open for individual prayer and communal worship but must obey social contact rules and only attend with household and support bubbles.

Unlike the March lockdown, playgrounds will remain open. Sports venues including gyms, tennis courts and golf courses must close and outdoor team sports will not be permitted.

Elite sport will continue, as can PE lessons and sports clubs for children who are able to attend school.

You may only leave home for one of these specific reasons:

■ Go to work if it’s impossible to work from home;

■ To shop for necessities including food and medicine;

■ To exercise, which can be with up to one other person from outside your household or bubble. The exercise should ideally be limited to once a day;

■ To provide care or help to a vulnerable person;

■ To attend medical appointments or seek medical care or fleeing the threat of harm or violence.

Police will have legal powers to enforce through fines and dispersing orders. The lockdown is expected to be in place until at least February 15.