(ANSA) - LONDON, DECEMBER 18 - British Prime Minister Boris Johnsonnon has ruled out a third national anti-Covid lockdown extended after Christmas to the whole of England, by far the most populous nation in the United Kingdom, after a month's confinement ended on December 2 .
"We really hope to be able to avoid it, but the current reality is that the infection rate has started to rise again a lot" these days, Johnson told reporters on a visit to Manchester today.
Meanwhile, without revoking the relief on the limitations to family contacts in the 5 Christmas days from 23 December, two minor nations of the Kingdom have already announced new general territorial lockdowns on the decision of the local governments: Northern Ireland for 6 weeks from December 26, Wales for 4 weeks from 28. While in England it has been established that the post-Christmas reopening of schools will take place in part with online lessons, until secondary school children are subjected to a precautionary mass swab: an indication that the Johnson government has defended against criticism, but that varies principals contest, accusing the executive of discharging responsibility for the implementation of the plan on individual schools. (HANDLE).
