Tonight, Monday 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that England will follow Scotland into a lockdown. Although the measures don’t come into effect officially till Wednesday, the PM implored people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives and start the lockdown immediately.
The Prime Minister has been facing more and more calls for a national UK wide lockdown following the rapid increase in coronavirus cases and deaths as a result of the new Covid-19 strain. There have been 58,784 cases and 420 deaths reported today.
During his address the PM said that hospitals are under considerable strain as a result of the new covid-19 strain, and hospital admissions are over 40% higher than the peak of the first wave last year.
“It’s clear we need to do more together to bring this new strain under control. In England we are going into a national lockdown. The Government is imploring that you stay home.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Parliament has been recalled to sit on Wednesday to vote on measures.
Earlier today, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland would enter a national lockdown from midnight tonight. This includes the shutting of schools until the end of January. Similar restrictions have been placed in Wales and Northern Ireland.
The housing market will remain open during this time. The latest government guidance is available here.
However, with regards to the housing sector it says:
- You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
- Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.
4 Responses
Actually the housing market will remain open. You can still view, move and use removal companies during the lockdown announced on the 4th by Boris
Thanks Ray. At the initial time of writing we were trying to find the Government guidance we could use.
What about conveyancing
Hi David, our understanding is that conveyancing departments are still able to operate.