Third national lockdown announced, with people asked to stay at home and schools closing

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new emergency measures during a national televised address at 8pm this evening, Monday, January 4.

He asked people to follow the new rules immediately, with MPs due to vote to make them law on Wednesday.

The latest coronavirus rates in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, as cases in one area rise by a third

He said primary schools, secondary schools and colleges must move to remote learning from tomorrow, though nurseries and other early years settings could remain open.

He also said that clinically extremely vulnerable people would be asked to shield again.

Mr Johnson said residents can leave their homes for shopping for necessities such as food and medicine, but only as infrequently as possible.Exercise will be allowed – preferably limited to once a day – with members of your household or support bubble or one other person from another household, such as if going for a walk or run.People will be able to go to work if it is impossible to work from home, such as those working in the construction sector or who are critical workers. All others must work from home.

Announcing the changes, Mr Johnson said: “With most of the country already under extreme measures it’s clear that we need to do more to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out.

“In England we must therefore go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant. That means the Government is once again instructing you to stay at home.”

Mr Johnson said the NHS expects everyone in the four most vulnerable groups to have received their first dose of vaccine by mid-February, after which it may become possible to ease the restrictions.

The changes come amid fears that the NHS could be overwhelmed if further action is not taken to tackle coronavirus, with the Covid-19 alert level raised to the five, which is the highest setting.

Hospital reveals the number of patients who have recovered from Covid-19 in Sheffield

Another 58,784 people tested positive for coronavirus during the latest 24 hours, it was revealed earlier today.

Sheffield’s weekly infection rate remains significantly below the national average but has risen to 225.7 new cases per 100,000 people during the seven days to December 31 – up from 176.5 the previous week.

Sheffield ‘very lucky’ as number of Covid-19 hospital patients across Yorkshire rises