UK raises coronavirus alert as infections rise 'exponentially', heightened curbs from Thursday

UK government has raised its coronavirus alert level from three to four, which indicates that transmission of virus is high and rising "exponentially".

Downing Street on Monday said new curbs on hospitality section will come in force across England from Thursday, imposing a 10 pm closing deline for all pubs, bars and restaurants as part of plans to control crowds.

re will also be a table service only stipulation for all such venues as part of new restrictions, which will be formally tabled in House of Commons on Tuesday by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Earlier, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of all four regions of United Kingdom – England, Scotland, rrn Ireland and Wales – issued a joint statement to confirm change in alert level for all parts of UK as prospect of a second nationwide lockdown looks imminent.

“ Joint Biosecurity Centre has recommended that COVID-19 alert level should move from Level 3 (a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation) to Level 4 (a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially),” CMOs said.

“After a period of lower COVID-19 cases and deaths, number of cases are w rising rapidly and probably exponentially in significant parts of all four nations. If we are to avoid significant excess deaths and exceptional pressure in NHS [National Health Service] and or health services over autumn and winter everyone has to follow social distancing guidance, wear face coverings correctly and wash ir hands regularly,” y said.

“We kw this will be concerning news for many people; please follow rules, look after each or and toger we will get through this,” y ded.

statement came hours after England CMO Chris Whitty dressed a Downing Street briefing earlier on Monday to present charts and data that showed that UK is in grips of a second wave of pandemic, with infections roughly doubling every seven days.

He warned that unless ditional restrictions are imposed on people's movements and mingling, this spike could continue to multiply.

At present, most parts of rrn England are alrey under stricter localised lockdown, with or regions coming under a similar ambit from Tuesday.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told House of Commons that childcare would be exempt from se stricter rules on households and hospitality establishments required to follow various stipulations.

“I'm able to anunce a new exemption for looking after children under of 14 or vulnerable ults where that is necessary for caring purposes. This covers both formal and informal arrangements. It does t allow for play-dates or parties, but it does mean that a consistent childcare relationship that is vital for somebody to get to work is allowed,” he said.

"I hope this change will provide clarity and comfort to many people who are living with se local restrictions," minister ded.

Wider nation-wide restrictions being considered by government to include a short two-week lockdown that would see ditional rules around household interactions and restrictions on hospitality and leisure sectors, but t involve school closures.

Described as a "circuit break", aim would be to impose tighter restrictions across England to curb chain of transmission before it accelerates furr.

On Sunday, 3,899 daily cases took overall positive coronavirus cases to 394,257. A furr 18 people died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, bringing UK death toll from virus to 41,777.