UK Goes Back Into Lockdown
The Claim
The UK is going back into lockdown due to COVID-19.
News posted on
Emerging story
The claim went viral on January 4, 2021. Social media users seem to be extremely divided over the idea of closing down the UK once again. Some are demanding that the Prime Minister close down the UK, some are criticizing his methods of keeping them safe, while others have declared that such a move is as a non-effective authoritarian move.
Misbar’s Analysis
With the new highly-contagious strain of COVID-19 that broke out in the UK several weeks ago, infection rates as well as hospitalizations have skyrocketed to breathtaking new levels. Since December 29th, each day has brought more than 50,000 new positive cases and hundreds of deaths in the UK. The exponential spike in reported cases has caused some panic amongst citizens both in the UK and abroad, as this strain in the virus appears to have spread to other countries including the United States.
Misbar’s investigation found that the UK's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that they will be going into lockdown.
This new lockdown will restrict any non-essential activities; including shopping, travel, and indoor dining at restaurants and pubs (takeout will still be permitted). Schools and universities will be moved to fully-remote formats. Increasing vaccination rates is being held at the highest level or priority. Countries vary in the specifics of their respective policies on COVID-19 (for example: England is allowing places of worship to remain open, while Scotland is closing them).
Johnson’s statement that the UK was entering the “hardest yet” phase of the pandemic rings ominously, but we will have to wait and see how it will handle this difficult time.
