Prime Minister to hold press conference at 16.00

What’s tier 4? ?

Doesn't exist as yet in England but that's the speculation!

Oh don’t breath I suppose.

Sorry I’ve just posted similar thread! I’ll ask to remove mine.

Not to worry, the more the merrier!

I expect it's bad news.

BBC reporting that a tier four is to be introduced with very severe restrictions for hospitality, non-essential retail and probably schools as they plan to return in the new year.

Health experts are saying that the situation with the new strain of Covid-19 is very serious indeed.

I thought Johnson the mini was accusing people of wanting to cancel Christmas when they suggested 5 more relaxed days was not terribly sensible,

Honestly is there another country in the world with a government as daft as this lot?

I think it is the new strain of Covid-19 that has caught everybody out. It is suddenly spreading very quickly, so it may not be just airborne transmission. That, if confirmed, is very worrying indeed.

I expect that the airports will remain open.

Oh goodee! - more from the great leader.

All he has to do - and it is beyond simple - is to follow the scientific and medical guidance.

Someone....just needs to take proper control, make decisions...why and how is the new variant in the South East??...

farview

Someone....just needs to take proper control, make decisions...why and how is the new variant in the South East??...

It seems to be a home grown mutant I think. Although was there a new strain from Spain?

We're not the only country with increased rates of infection though. Italy is having a lockdown over Christmas.

I suspect the South East and London are more infected because of travel and a denser population.

I think he's been trying his best to put off the inevitable. Either way, he'll be wrong.

I had stopped washing shopping and was getting lax about leaving papers and letters before opening them. I wonder how many others have too. I'm now leaving cards and letters on the mat and getting back into Really Careful mode as I was in the spring.

I seem to remember the scientists saying it would be at least a year before we even started to get on top of this thing. Looks like they're right.

Not just Italy having Xmas Lockdown merlotgran, Germany too.
It’s so sad if it’d true that Londoners will not be able to visit family.

merlotgran

We're not the only country with increased rates of infection though. Italy is having a lockdown over Christmas.

I suspect the South East and London are more infected because of travel and a denser population.

Haven't Germany and France also tightened up on restrictions? It's the same all over.

Crossed post Yorklady.

i think it is necessary. better late than never.
i wonder if the new strain came through kent from the continent with, all those lorries queuing ?

N. Ireland are going in to a strict 6 week lockdown on Boxing Day with 8pm house curfew.

Their hospitals are swamped and have had ambulances with patients in them queuing outside A&E for up to 24hrs.

In such dire circumstances I can’t help thinking why wait till Boxing Day?

A pandemic lasts for at least 2 years, but because of the population now it could be 2022 before it fizzles altogether. Sadly the number of people dying hasn't reached a peak of a pandemic as it affects every citizen, not just a chosen few and the overall count will be in the millions.

BJ will have to pull the reins in whether people like it or not.
It's literally a chance that people will have to take if they're that desperate , but not one that I would. Be it on your own heads, it's not for BJ to say don't visit.

I've no time for Johnson (or any politician for that matter) but I do really feel sorry for him.

No matter what he does, there's always those who will come down on him like a ton of bricks. And always those who know better. You know the ones - the internet scientists rather than the actual scientists. Johnson literally can't do right for doing wrong.

Now that they know about this new variant strain of Covid, surely he HAS to act. They obviously have more facts and figures at their disposal than most of us, and I don't for one minute think he's taking these decisions lightly.

I wonder how the rest of us would fare, if we were in charge and putting our own ideas into play. Like the ones who think masks are a waste of time. And that any one else's rules don't apply to them. Or the ones who take the guidance on board, but find loopholes so they don't have to abide by them.

All sounds a bit serious?

If I was the virus and the rates of infection were decreasing, I would want to mutate to bring the rates up again.
Just a theory of why the South East.

BJ's probably teetering on the brink at having to tell everyone that original rules have changed as regards freedom for which he's bound to get a backlash.