Holidays abroad banned under strict new national lockdown rules

HOLIDAYS abroad are to be banned for a month under strict lockdown rules announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night.

The measures were announced in a live TV address to the nation as the government attempts to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.

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The announcement will throw thousands of holidays into chaos.

Holiday firms and airlines are unlikely to refund customers unless advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) changes.

Package holidays are supposed to refund customers if you're unable to travel, according to ABTA.

But some holiday firms have previously refused to refund customers where flights to destinations still go ahead.

Customers are advised to seek advice from their holiday firm or airline on whether travel will go ahead.

It is unclear whether will continue to exists.

The measures also include the closure of non-essential shops, including pubs and restaurants unless for takeaways, as well as bans on overnight stays.

Meanwhile, educational settings, such as schools and nurseries, will stay open.

Boris Johnson has told the nation they must "stay at home" for four weeks from Thursday in a fresh lockdown to "protect the NHS and save lives".

Yesterday's latest figures show Britain has passed one million coronavirus cases, with 46,555 deaths.

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Mr Johnson introduced a three-tier system this month to try to steer away from a second national lockdown.

But as cases continue to rise he announced the new measures, which are impossible to avoid.

The measure also include:

• Pubs and restaurants will shut but will be allowed to do takeaways and deliveries
• Nurseries and schools are to remain open
• International travel will be banned - except for work
• No overnight stays and internal UK-wide travel is set to be discouraged
• All non-essential retail will close, but supermarkets will be able to sell any and all goods they like
• There will be a nationwide ban on people mixing indoors - except for childcare

The lockdown is set to last until December 2 in an attempt to save the nation's Christmas.

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But it will apply to England only - Scotland and Wales have said they will assess the situation and apply their own rules.

The Tier strategy is thought not to be completely scrapped, and will return after the lockdown.

Experts warned a circuit breaker style two-week lockdown would now not be long enough to curb infections.

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They told No 10 it is too late for that option now, with a month-long national lockdown the only way to bring down cases

A further 274 new deaths were also reported yesterday, down from 280 a day earlier, taking the toll to 46,229.