TIER WE GO
Boris Johnson speech: What did the Prime Minister say tonight, Monday, November 23?
BORIS JOHNSON has announced new changes to England's three-tier covid system, which is set to come into place on December 3.
The Prime Minister outlined his new "Covid Winter Plan" to MPs in parliament this afternoon, November 23, before addressing the nation to explain the changes tonight.
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What did Boris Johnson announce in Parliament and the press conference?
The Prime Minister appeared via video link in Parliament to announce the end of the national lockdown on December 2.
Speaking to the MPs, Mr Johnson said it had been a "tragic year".
He said: "No other peace-time Prime Minister has asked so much of his people and I am deeply grateful.
“First we must get through winter without the virus spreading out of control.
"Our winter plan is designed to carry us safely to spring.
“I can therefore confirm national restrictions in England will end on the 2nd of December and they will not be renewed."
Instead tougher tier restrictions will be put in place regionally, based on the infection rate, the percentage of cases, and pressures on the NHS.
Mr Johnson said: “We’re not going to replace national measures with any free for all.
"We will go back instead to a regional tier response applying the toughest measures where the virus is most prevalent.
"The scientific advice, I’m afraid, is that our tiers need to be made tougher."
In the press conference on Monday evening, the PM, Professor Chris Whitty and Oxford's Professor Andrew Pollard spoke at length regarding the vaccine, before touching upon Christmas restrictions.
With regards to the new tier system, Mr Johnson warned the public that "many more" towns and cities will face harsher restrictions compared to before the second national lockdown.
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People will be able to meet in groups of six
The Prime Minister confirmed that people will be able to meet in outdoor public spaces subject to rule of six and that worship, weddings, and outdoor sports can resume.
Non-essential shops and gyms will also be allowed to reopen.
Tier One
On top of these measures, people in tier one areas will be asked to work from home wherever possible.
Tier one areas will also allow spectator sports and business events to restart inside and outside - so long as social distancing applies.
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Tier Two
Tier two will also allow spectator sports to resume - but there will be tougher restrictions on pubs, bars and restaurants.
Pubs will only be allowed to serve alcohol along with a "substantial meal" and people drinking in outdoor areas will have to order food as well.
Tier Three
Tier three will remain the toughest tier used to curb transmission in the worst-hit parts of the UK.
Under tier three, all indoor entertainment and hotels will stay closed.
Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurant will have to shut unless they can provide takeaways.
Members of different households will not be able to meet indoors or in private gardens until the restrictions are eased.
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Christmas
Boris Johnson offered families a ray of light by confirming the government was working on plans with Scotland, Wales and Norther Ireland to allow families to come together for Christmas.
Mr Johnson said: “I can't say that Christmas will be normal this year. But time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths.
"We all want some kind of Christmas, we need it, we feel we deserve it.
"But what we don't want is to throw caution to the wind and allow it to flare back up again and force us all back into lockdown in January."
Mr Johnson reminded MPs that the virus "doesn't know its Christmas" and said families would need to "make judgement on visiting elderly relatives" over the Christmas period.
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Testing
The Prime Minister promised increased testing would be rolled out alongside the latest restrictions to help the country navigate the winter period.
Mr Johnson hoped increased testing in care homes would allow residents to have two visitors twice a week by the end of the year.
Weekly tests would be made available to staff in prison and those administrating the coronavirus vaccines.
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Boris Johnson also announced ambitious plans to end automatic isolation for Covid contacts by enabling contacts to be tested every day for a week.
Contacts will only have to isolate if one of their tests were positive.
The new scheme will roll out to the whole of England in January if successful.
Vaccines
The Prime Minister revealed that 100 million of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine that has been recorded as being 90 per cent effective.
This is on top of the other vaccines that the UK have already pledged to purchase including the Pfizer jab.
Will Christmas be under lockdown?
In a blow to people around the country, Boris Johnson revealed that Christmas will not be as many hope.
The Prime Minister remained firm that there will still be restrictions as "this is not the moment to let the virus rip for the sake of Christmas parties."
Mr Johnson added that there will be revealing later in the week on the specific rules during the Festive period.
LATEST ON CORONAVIRUS
When was the coronavirus announcement today?
Boris Johnson addressed the nation at 7pm tonight, November 23.
The Prime Minister had already addressed the House of Commons at 3:30pm today to announce that the national lockdown will end on December 2 and to explain the new three-tier regional system.
The Prime Minister will announce which tiers will be in place across different parts of the UK on Thursday, November 26.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock on effectiveness of Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine
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