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Families can celebrate Christmas together this year without any problems, the British prime minister repeatedly promised. But then a mutation of the virus appeared on the island. And now 16 million people have to stay locked up.
New method of attack – new method of defense: Boris Johnson announced the shutdown on Saturday, December 19.
Photo: Toby Melville (Keystone)
Boris Johnson on Wednesday pretended not to want to hear about all the warnings. The Prime Minister kept his promise that all families in England could celebrate Christmas together, albeit under certain conditions. In the lower house, he even mocked opposition leader Keir Starmer, who had questioned the prime minister’s recklessness. The Labor leader just wants to cancel Christmas this year, Johnson said. No, the planned easing for the holidays is still, after all, you do not want to criminalize people’s long-prepared plans. On Wednesday night, the prime minister announced: “We do not want to ban Christmas, that would be inhumane.”
Just three days later, Johnson did just that: he banned 16.4 million citizens of south-east England from spending Christmas with loved ones from another home. There were no signs of the prime minister’s indifference on Saturday night. Johnson gave a hastily called press conference at 10 Downing Street and said with a stern expression: “It is with great regret that I have to tell you that we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.” The reason for this is a mutation of the corona virus, which has spread more and more in the southeast in recent days. Health Minister Matt Hancock had already spoken of a massive increase in the number of cases on Monday.
To curb the spread of the virus, the prime minister imposed a tough blockade on London and much of south-east England starting on Sunday. “If the virus changes its method of attack, we have to change our method of defense,” Johnson said. The previous three-stage corona warning system has been expanded to include level 4. All non-essential businesses have to close, the population is called to stay at home. You can only meet one person from another home outdoors; single people can join the household of their choice. Otherwise, meetings in houses and apartments are prohibited.
Mass exodus before the closure
Not surprisingly, many Londoners packed their things on Saturday night to leave the capital. Trains to English parts of the country, where Corona warning levels 2 and 3 apply, were quickly booked. People can meet there with relatives from up to three different households, at least on Christmas Eve.
Scotland imposed a ban on entry from England during the holidays. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he understands that people want to travel with their families at the last minute, even when it’s bad. The crowded train stations in many parts of London are “a direct result of the chaotic way in which the announcement was made,” the Labor politician said Saturday night.
At least there is hope: a good ten days ago the government began mass vaccination. So far, around 350,000 people across the country have received the funds from the pharmaceutical company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer.
