Boris Johnson: We are entering the last phase of the struggle

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation from Downing Street on Monday to issue another ‘stay at home’ message to the public as Covid cases continue to skyrocket. In a televised speech, Mr Johnson urged all Brits to follow the rules, which came into force immediately, and admitted the weeks ahead would be “the hardest yet”. The Prime Minister added that he thought the country was entering “the last phase of the struggle”.

On Monday, January 4, Britain recorded more than 50,000 new cases of Covid-19 for the seventh day in a row.

Another 58,784 cases and an additional 407 deaths within 28 days of yielding a positive test result were reported.

The Prime Minister said those who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be contacted by letter and should, once again, shield inside their homes.

In cases where shielders are particularly vulnerable, they should refrain from going to work if they can’t do their job from home.

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Announcing the new lockdown, Mr Johnson said: “With most of the country already under extreme measures, it is clear we need to do more, together, to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out.”

The exponential spread of Covid-19 has been blamed on a mutant strain which developed in the south-east in early December.

Mr Johnson added: “In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant.

“That means the Government is once again instructing you to stay at home.”

Under the new rules, people should only leave their homes for absolutely essential reasons.

Essential purposes include:

• Medical purposes
• To go shopping for food and other essentials
• To work if you absolutely cannot work from home
• To exercise
• To escape domestic abuse

Mr Johnson said: “Thanks to the miracle of science, not only is the end in sight and we know exactly how we will get there. But for now, I am afraid, you must once again stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

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Can cleaners work in the third UK national lockdown?

In short, yes, cleaner can continue to work during the third national lockdown.

The Government guidance says one of the reasons people can gather in groups outside of support and childcare bubbles is for work.

The guidance reads: “There are still circumstances in which you are allowed to meet others from outside your household, childcare or support bubble in larger groups.

“But this should not be for socialising and is only for permitted purposes.”

This extenuating circumstance includes: “For work, or providing voluntary or charitable services, where it is unreasonable to do so from home.

“This can include work in other people’s homes where necessary – for example, for nannies, cleaners, social care workers providing support to children and families, or tradespeople.”

However, cleaners are encouraged to take certain safety precautions when working in other people’s homes.

This includes wearing a face covering and keeping an appropriate social distance away from other members of the household.

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