The Prime Minister announced this evening the reintroduction of a full national lockdown, similar to the lockdown in March 2020.
The lockdown has been necessary due to the new variant of the virus that has seen hospitalisation 40 per cent higher than the first peak in April 2020.
Based upon the current trends this means without taking action now our NHS could be overwhelmed in 21 days.
Despite the difficult decision, there are positive measures to combat COVID. Currently, based upon the mass vaccine rollout it is hoped that by the end of February, the top four priority groups will have received a vaccine. These groups are:
- People in care homes & carers
- 70+ years of age
- All health and social care staff
- Clinically extremely vulnerable
The new lockdown measures means people are to stay at home and should only leave for limited reasons such as shopping for essentials, seeking medical assistance or fleeing from domestic violence.
People who are extremely clinically vulnerable are once again asked to shield. A letter will be sent out from to those in this category outlining the necessary steps they should take.
Primary and Secondary schools alongside colleges will be moving to remote learning. As before, only children of key workers of those who are vulnerable can go into school physically.
Early Years settings will however remain open.
The new measures will mean not all exams go ahead this summer and the Secretary of State for Education and Ofqual will announce the details of this in due course.
Children who are eligible for Free School Meals will still continue to receive them, with further details to follow.
Additional details can be accessed using the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
As always if you have any questions please email me at:
I appreciate these are difficult times but with the vaccine rollout we are in a different situation from March last year. As a community I am confident we will get through this and for now I ask that we continue to work together and follow the rules as before:
STAY AT HOME
PROTECT THE NHS
SAVE LIVES
