COUNTDOWN
What time does second lockdown start in England today?
ENGLAND entered a second nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 on Thursday, November 5.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions at a press conference on Saturday, October 31, after being warned that "several deaths a day" could happen if the Government failed to take any action.
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What time does lockdown start today?
The whole of England entered a blanket national lockdown on Thursday, November 5.
The restrictions came into force at 00.01am.
Some Conservative MPs voiced their opposition to a second lockdown with 38 MPs defying their whips and voting against the new measures.
However, Labour supported the shutdown in the House of Commons.
MPs voted in favour of the lockdown by 516 to 38 votes on November 4.
What are the new lockdown rules in England?
The PM ordered the country to "stay at home" for four weeks from Thursday, November 5, in a fresh effort to "protect the NHS and save lives".
Brits are only allowed to leave home for school, work, medical reasons, exercise, shopping or providing care to the vulnerable.
The furlough scheme has been extended with 80 per cent of pay.
Pubs and restaurants have to close, but will be allowed to continue doing takeaways and deliveries.
Nurseries and schools will remain open - but unions are already demanding they be shut.
International travel is banned during the lockdown period - except for work purposes.
No overnight stays and internal UK-wide travel are allowed.
All non-essential retail shops have to close, but supermarkets will be able to sell any product they have on their shelves.
There is also a nationwide ban on people mixing indoors - except for childcare.
Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres have to close during the lockdown, but people are allowed to exercise outdoors for as long as they want.
Manufacturing and construction can carry on - and Parliament and courts will remain open.
Shielding will not return but people who are vulnerable should take extra care.
When will lockdown end?
National lockdown is set to end on Wednesday, December 2.
The Prime Minister made a speech to the Commons concerning the new guidelines on November 2.
He will "seek to ease" restrictions and return to the three-tiered local lockdown approach - although it may be extended if necessary.
He said: “At the end of four weeks, on Wednesday, December 2, we will seek to ease restrictions, going back into the tiered system on a local and regional basis according to the latest data and trends.
"Models of our scientists suggest that unless we act now, we could see deaths over the winter that are twice as bad or more compared with the first wave.
"Faced with these latest figures, there is no alternative but to take further action at a national level."
Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted on Sunday, November 1 that the lockdown could continue beyond the start of December if the measures do not drive the R-number down.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak could only say he "hopes" that the restrictions will be lifted as planned.
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