The Prime Minister has announced a new six-week national lockdown in a bid to curb rapidly rising Covid-19 cases that threaten to overwhelm the NHS.

In an address to the nation at 8pm this evening (Monday, January 4), Boris Johnson said primary and secondary schools must move to remote learning from tomorrow, except for vulnerable children and those of key workers.

Nurseries will remain open. Exams in the summer will be cancelled and replaced with different assessments. Mr Johnson is hopeful that schools can open after the February half-term.

People may meet one person from another household outdoors. The changes for Richmond are minimal as we are already in Tier 4.

It comes after the existing tiers system which is currently in place failed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The government made the decision after the UK saw a record high of 58,784 daily cases and 407 deaths.

Mr Johnson said everyone should follow the new restrictions "now" and it will be made law on Wednesday.

The new national measures will last until at least mid-February.

Mr Johnson said the weeks ahead "will be the hardest yet ... but I really do believe we are entering the last phase of the struggle because with every jab that goes into our arms we are tilting the odds against covid and in favour of the British people."