UK: Boris Johnson announces another "lockdown"

London, United Kingdom: Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson has announced a new lockdown for England that will last until mid-February as the nation reels from a faster-spreading new version of the coronavirus.

Britain's prime minister said that the limitations would require people to stay at home and primary and secondary schools to close beside all non-essential shops.

University students will not return to university, and restaurants will only be permitted to present take-out services.

Johnson said that the actions were necessary to avoid the UK's health service from being destroyed, as the country sees a surge of cases of the deadly virus.

"As I speak to you , our hospitals are following more burden from COVID-19 than at any time since the start of the pandemic," he declared.

"I know how hard this is. I know how frustrated you are. Now stronger than ever, we must pull together."

It comes as Britain declares a record 58,784 new cases of coronavirus and 407 deaths as the extent of the virus raises fears of a tough new lockdown across the nation.

In a statement, Yvonne Doyle, medical director for Public Health England, said that the "continuous rise" in cases should be a "bitter lesson for us all".

"We must not ignore the basics - the lives of our friends and family depend on it," she said.

"Keep your distance from others, wash your hands, and wear a mask. This virus will transmit where you let your guard down."

British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer earlier also called for a full, nationwide lockdown, claiming that the government's tier system - under which the UK is split into four tiers with more stringent restrictions in each depending on the spread of the virus - was not working.

"The virus is out of control, and we acknowledge that the tier system isn't working. I know that the prime minister knows that, and therefore tougher national limitations are necessary," Starmer said.