Inhibiting The Spread Of New Variants Of Corona Virus, UK National Lockdown

British PM Boris Johnson (Twitter / @ BorisJohnson)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a national lockdown to contain a spike in cases of a new variant of the corona virus. The announcement comes just hours after the UK started injecting the AstraZaneca vaccine to its citizens, Monday 4 January.

Quoting Reuters Tuesday, January 5, PM Jhonson chose to implement a national lockdown because the new variant of the corona virus in the UK is more contagious. This new variant also spread very quickly to various countries.

"I am speaking to you tonight, our hospital is now under greater pressure from COVID-19 than since the start of the pandemic. We need to work together to control this new variant," he said.

"Therefore, we must carry out a national lockdown that is strong enough to contain the spread of this variant. That means the government is again instructing you to stay at home," he added.

The UK's national lockdown is expected to last until mid-February 2021. All schools and colleges are using the online learning system again.

Non-essential retail shops should close. Even so, all outdoor sports venues such as golf courses and tennis courts must also be closed. However, professional sports such as the English Premier League can still take place.

"If the launch of the vaccine goes according to plan and the number of deaths is reduced as expected, it is possible to get out of the national lockdown in mid-February," he said.