THE country is heading into its third national lockdown since the coronavirus crisis began.

Prime minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on TV this evening and outlined tougher restrictions which will last until mid-February in a bid to keep the spread of Covid-19 under control. It came as the country saw more than 50,000 cases for the seventh day running, with 203 recorded in Swindon in the last 24 hours.

“As I speak to you tonight, our hospitals are under more pressure from Covid than at any time since the start of the pandemic,” he said.

“The weeks ahead will be the hardest yet but I really do believe that we’re entering the last phase of the struggle because with every jab that goes into our arms we’re tilting the odds against Covid and in favour of the British people."

In a crucial difference to November's month-long lockdown, schools and nurseries will remain closed to most pupils until February, with the majority working remotely. But they will stay open for children of key workers who cannot work from home and for vulnerable youngsters. Exams won't be going ahead as planned.

Otherwise, Mr Johnson's announcement means the whole country will be living under rules similar to those for Tier 4 areas - which have been in place for Swindon since New Year's Eve. Wiltshire had previously been in Tier 3.

People will have to stay at home with exemptions in place for carers, essential shopping, outdoor exercise and for anybody who is part of an extended household.

The move came just hours after Nicola Sturgeon announced most of Scotland would be put into another lockdown for the whole of January.