England will go back into a national lockdown, it has been announced.
Boris Johnson confirmed the new measures during a Downing Street press conference today (October 31).
The lockdown, starting from Thursday, will last for a month until December 2, subject to a vote in the House of Commons.
It is hoped the stringent move will control the spread of coronavirus across the country.
Similar to measures in Tier 3, households will not be allowed to mix indoors, expect for childcare and other forms of support, and people will be told to stay at home other than for certain exemptions.
But what will be forced to shut and what can stay open during the second national lockdown?
Will pubs and restaurants shut?
Pubs, bars and restaurants, casinos, gyms, leisure centres and other non-essential businesses will be closed.
Takeaways and deliveries will be permitted.
In Tier 3 currently, pubs and bars have been forced to close unless they serve substantial meals.
Will 'non-essential' shops shut?
Essential shops will stay open, but all shops selling non-essential goods - including clothing and electronic stores - will be closed. Click and collect services can continue.
Hairdressers and gyms will be told to shut. It is also thought golf clubs will need to shut.
Will there be travel restrictions?
Travel should be kept to a minimum and only for essential journeys, like work.
People will be urged to avoid travelling outside of their area and staying overnight elsewhere will only be allowed for work.
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What will happen to schools?
Everything will close except essential shops, courts and education facilities, which includes nurseries, schools and universities. Playgrounds will also be able to remain open, unlike in the first lockdown.
The announcement on Saturday evening comes after newspapers reported the government was looking into such measures on Friday (October 30).
It is understood that Downing Street has now launched an investigation to find the source of the story, amid reports that the government had wanted to keep the plan quiet until Monday.
The decision to impose a national lockdown came after scientists warned that half a million people were being infected with coronavirus each week.
The Prime Minister held the press conference today alongside Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance.
