Icon: enlarge
A sign in London warns to keep your distance, but that was not enough: In England, a four-week shutdown will apply from Thursday
Photo: TOBY MELVILLE / REUTERS
After several other countries in Europe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also announced a partial lockdown for England.
From next Thursday only schools and universities will remain open, said Johnson.
All other places - such as cultural institutions, sports centers, non-essential shops as well as restaurants and pubs - must close by December 2nd.
The out-of-home sales for the catering industry should remain allowed.
"The virus is currently spreading faster than our scientific advisors assumed in a worst-case scenario," said Johnson.
"Now is the time to act because there is no alternative."
The media had previously reported on the government's plans.
According to the Reuters news agency, the English should only leave the house for work, sports, shopping or going to school or university.
Most Covid-19 deaths in Europe already
The measures are necessary to save lives and to protect the NHS from being overloaded again.
The head of government swore the British would only leave their homes in urgent cases - such as work, sports, shopping or caring for relatives.
On Saturday, Great Britain reported almost 22,000 new infections.
The country broke the one million confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
In the past two weeks, the UK had 451 cases per 100,000 population, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
With more than 46,000 deaths, Great Britain has the highest number of corona deaths in Europe.
If the virus continues to spread uncontrollably, the situation could be much worse than recently feared, according to the government's scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage).
The worst-case scenario worked out in July assumed a further 85,000 deaths in a second wave of infections in winter.
Without extensive restrictions, the value could even be exceeded.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make their own rules.
There are already much stricter, temporary corona measures in place there than in England.
The UK last imposed exit restrictions in March and April.
Citizens were only allowed to leave the house for important errands.
Boris Johnson himself was sick with Covid-19 at the end of March.
At first he spoke of "mild symptoms" on Twitter.
Nine days after the positive result, he had to be hospitalized and was even treated in the intensive care unit.
Icon: The mirror
fek / dpa / AFP / Reuters