More than three-quarters of England’s population was placed under tough virus restrictions.
Fast-spreading variant reaches most of nation
LONDON — The British government on Wednesday extended its toughest coronavirus restrictions to more than three-quarters of England’s population, saying a fast-spreading new variant of the virus has reached most of the country.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that at midnight the government’s top infection-warning level, Tier 4, would be expanded beyond London and the southeast to cover large swaths of central, northern and southwest England, including the major cities of Manchester and Birmingham.
The move will curtail New Year’s Eve celebrations in parts of England that are home to 44 million people, or 78 percent of the population. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government “intensively” considered imposing a nationwide lockdown but had decided against one for now.
In England’s Tier 4, most people are advised to stay home, barred from mixing with the members of other households either indoors or out, nonessential shops are shut, and restaurants and bars can offer takeout only.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have implemented strong lockdown measures.
Hospitals in the worst-hit areas of London and southern England are becoming overstretched, with ambulances unable to unload patients at some hospitals where all of the beds are occupied. There are more people in hospitals with COVID-19 now than at the first peak of the outbreak in April. In other developments:
■ The Canadian government said Wednesday that passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before they arrive in the country. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic Leblanc said the measure will be implemented in the next few days.
■ Belarus and Argentina launched mass coronavirus vaccinations with the Russian-developed Sputnik V shot on Tuesday, becoming the first countries outside Russia to roll out the vaccine, which has faced criticism over the speed with which it was approved.
■ China is encouraging tens of millions of migrant workers not to travel home during next February’s Lunar New Year holiday to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.