The third national lockdown began on Monday, January 4 and is expected to last until the top four tiers on the vaccine priority list have been vaccinated. Boris Johnson said the move was taken in a bid to address the rising rate of cases as a result of the much more transmissible new coronavirus variant and to ensure the NHS is not overwhelmed by Covid cases. But when will this lockdown end and how long was the first lockdown?
The Prime Minister announced a national lockdown instructing people to stay at home in a bid to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives on January 4.
The national lockdown was ratified into law on Wednesday, January 6.
The legislation runs until March 31 to allow a “controlled” easing of restrictions back into local tiers according to Mr Johnson.
Announcing the lockdown, Mr Johnson said: “I want to say to everyone right across the United Kingdom that I know how tough this is, I know how frustrated you are, I know that you have had more than enough of Government guidance about defeating this virus. But now more than ever, we must pull together.”
The PM added: “The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet but I really do believe that we are entering the last phase of the struggle.
“Because with every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against Covid and in favour of the British people.
“And, 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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How long will the third lockdown be?
Speaking on January 6, Mr Johnson said: “When we begin to move out of lockdown I promise they will be the very first things to reopen.
“That moment may come after the February half-term, although we should remain extremely cautious about the timetable ahead.
“And as was the case last spring, our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will be not a big bang but a gradual unwrapping.
“That is why the legislation this House will vote on later today runs until March 31.
“Not because we expect the full national lockdown to continue until then, but to allow a steady, controlled and evidence-led move down through the tiers on a regional basis.”
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Cabinet minister Michael Gove also suggested easing of restrictions could begin in March.
Mr Gove told Sky News: “We will keep these constantly under review but you are absolutely right, we can’t predict with certainty that we will be able to lift restrictions in the week commencing February 15-22.
“What we will be doing is everything that we can to make sure that as many people as possible are vaccinated so that we can begin to progressively lift restrictions.
“I think it is right to say that as we enter March we should be able to lift some of these restrictions but not necessarily all.”
