Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new lockdown in a bid to curb rapidly rising Covid cases that threaten to overwhelm the NHS.

In an address to the nation at 8pm on Monday evening, the PM set out 'further steps' - after existing tiers currently in place have failed to prevent the spread of coronavirus that has been driven by a new variant.

The government made the decision after the UK saw a record high of 58,784 daily cases and 407 deaths.

Boris Johnson said everyone should follow the new restrictions "now" and it will be made law on Wednesday.

What you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.

Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse) attend education or childcare - for those eligible.

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses.

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work

You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.

You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.

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