Today, the Prime Minister revealed London, the south east and east of England will all be placed under harsh lockdown restrictions from midnight tonight. This comes as cases of the coronavirus pandemic continue to soar across the country.
But now, the outgoing US President Mr Trump has hit out at Mr Johnson’s plans claiming lockdowns are worse than the problem itself.
He tweeted: “We don’t want to have lockdowns.
“The cure cannot be worse than the problem itself!”
The US has the highest number of infections and deaths globally with deaths surpassing 300,000.
Infections have reached more than 17,000,000.
Mr Trump has been widely critical of lockdowns and back in August said lockdowns do not prevent any further infections.
He said: “It’s important for all Americans to recognise that a permanent lockdown is not a viable path forward and would ultimately inflict more harm than it would prevent.
“Lockdowns do not prevent infection in the future.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson under pressure over new Covid mutation spreading
Announcing the new lockdown measures, Mr Johnson told a Downing Street briefing today: “We will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently tier 3.
“These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.”
Those in tier 4 must stay at home apart from limited exemptions set out in law.
All non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close.
People have also been advised to work from home if they can but may travel if they have too.
The Government have banned anyone entering or leaving tier 4 areas and people may not stay overnight away from home.
Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space.
Although the restrictions are only on the capital and areas in the areas, Mr Johnson warned the measures could be imposed in other parts of the country.
He continued: “Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country.
“We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.”
