Stricter Lockdowns Initiated As COVID Variant Spreads Rapidly

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has just ordered a nationwide lockdown through February in an effort to slow the spread of a variant of the coronavirus.

As of Monday, England reported over 26,600 patients in hospitals from COVID-19, which is a 30% increase from the previous week.

Under the rules, which will be put into effect as soon as possible, all schools will be closed for face-to-face learning with the exception of children of key workers. Students attending university will not be allowed to return until at least mid-February.

Hair salons, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses will be closed, but eateries still have the option to deliver.

Scotland also announced it is implementing a coronavirus lockdown which will start on Tuesday and last until the end of the month. Residents will be asked to only leave their homes for essential purposes and to limit the size of outdoor gatherings. Schools will also remain closed for in-person learning.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in a statement,” It is no exaggeration to say that I am more concerned about the situation we face now than I have been at any time since March last year. It is essential that we further limit interaction between different households to stem the spread and bring the situation back under control, while we vaccinate more people.”

Scotland has its own devolved government and has often imposed tighter coronavirus restrictions than those in England over the course of the pandemic.

To date, the United Kingdom has 2.65 million recorded cases of coronavirus infections and on Monday became the first country in the world to administer AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine after its emergency authorization last week.

The first vaccine went to Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old dialysis patient at Oxford Univerity Hospital. Pinker says he was given peace of mind from the vaccine and he looks forward to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary next month.