As numbers of COVID-19 cases have continued to rise around the world, the United Kingdom (UK) has shut down for the third time since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

On Tuesday, January 19, there were 1,610 reported deaths related to COVID-19 in Britain. That is the highest number of deaths recorded on a single day since the outbreak began. This has brought the UK to a total of 91,470 deaths. The lockdown will be reviewed on February 15 at the earliest. If things go as planned, the nation is hoping to be back open by February 22. 

When the Prime Minister Boris Johnson,  announced the lockdown he expressed his hopes that “[Britain] can steadily move out of lockdown, reopening schools after the February half term and starting, cautiously, to move regions down the tiers,” as reported on HurtsLive

At the end of January, BBC reported that  people may only go out if they have a reasonable excuse. Attending a gathering of 15 people can result in a £800 fine (about $1,000), and it will double for each offense, up to £6,400 (around $9,000). Additionally, the host of that gathering will be fined £10,000 ($14,000). 

Reasons to go out that are considered reasonable excuses include; going to get groceries, children going to the other parents home if they are separated, going to work if you are not able to work from home for a job such as nannying or housekeeping, religious worship, moving to a new home, or exercising. However, if someone wants to leave their home they must stay six feet away from others, and it is highly recommended that they do not travel outside of their local town, unless their job requires it or they have a medical or family emergency that requires them to go out of town. 

If someone has medical issues that make them vulnerable to getting sick, they are asked to stay home unless they have a medical appointment, are going out for exercise, or have an essential need that requires them to leave their home. 

Non-essential shopping, movie theaters, and restaurants are closed. Schools are closed as well, and universities are having online classes. Hopefully soon things will begin to open, because as of January 20, HurtsLive reported that 4.2 million people had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Once again the UK has had to put their lives on hold as numbers grow. Hopefully after the first two lockdowns, the citizens of the UK will follow guidelines and numbers will begin to decline rather than increase.