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More than 40 million people in England are living under Level 4 restrictions as fears mount about the spread of a mutant variant of the coronavirus.
The prime minister is facing pressure to further limit social contact in those areas by closing educational settings, and most primary and secondary schools in England will open this month.
Boris Johnson has warned of tighter restrictions in the coming weeks but he has refused to know if the so-called “Level 5” will be introduced.
As the government’s own scientific advisers have said “it’s pretty clear that we’re going to need more restrictions,” Sky News looks at what Level 5 would look like.
All elementary and middle schools could close
Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have warned of “major resurgences” of the coronavirus unless schools and universities are closed.
Scientists said in an article last month: “Our estimates suggest that control measures … are unlikely to reduce the number of effective reproduction R to less than 1, unless primary schools, secondary schools and universities are also closed “.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which advises the government on its response to the pandemic, has also said that the R number could stay below 1 if schools remain closed after the Christmas holidays.
Schools may have to close if Level 5 restrictions are introduced
Johnson refused to rule out closing schools on Sunday.
I also don’t want to know if a fifth level of restrictions will be introduced.
The prime minister told BBC One’s Andrew Marr that the new variant means there are “obviously a stricter set of measures that we should consider.”
He added: “I’m not going to speculate now on what they would be, but I’m sure all of our viewers and our listeners will understand what kind of things … clearly school closings, that we had to do in March is one of those things.”
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Boris Johnson on schools: ‘The risk is small’
Meet others
Individuals can reunite with another person from another home abroad under the current stricter level of restrictions, with waivers in place for support and childcare bubbles.
Level 5 restrictions could mean that people can’t gather outside at all unless they’re in one of the bubbles.
However, people were allowed to meet another person outside under the first nationwide lockdown.
Total removal of support bubbles would be considered to have a detrimental effect on mental health. They were first introduced to help people who live alone or who have struggled with a lack of human interaction.
Home care visits are permitted with the measures set forth in Level 4, such as substantial screens, visiting modules, or behind windows.
Measurements can be toughened if Level 5 is entered.
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More stores may have to close
Retail stores deemed “nonessential”, such as those selling clothing or household items, have had to close under Tier 4 restrictions.
However, businesses currently deemed “essential” under government guidelines may have to close if a fifth tier is introduced.
This means that without licenses, builder dealers and garden centers may have to close their doors.
Stores across the UK have had to close due to coronavirus restrictions
Exercising outdoors
Level 4 restrictions, which currently affect three-quarters of people in England, allow members of the public to engage in an unlimited amount of exercise outdoors each day.
If Level 5 is introduced, it could mean that people are restricted to exercising outdoors only once a day, as was the case during the first national shutdown.
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Community worship could be banned
People can worship in groups under Level 4 restrictions, but this could no longer be allowed if measures are tightened.
Places of worship were closed during the first national shutdown, except to allow funerals for immediate families to attend.
Weddings can take place with up to 6 people present on Level 4, but could be completely banned if a fifth level is entered, as happened during the first lockdown.
Travel abroad could be completely prohibited
People living in Level 4 areas can only travel abroad for work reasons.
A tightening of the measures could deal a further blow to the aviation industry by banning people from traveling abroad altogether.
