21 Dec

The British government has imposed a lockdown on London and other parts of southeast England as a new strain of coronavirus is believed to be spreading there.

Strict rules came into force in those areas on Sunday, requiring people to stay at home unless they have a specific purpose or a reasonable excuse. Non-essential retail shops must also close.

This is the third lockdown of this sort in London since the spring. The central part of the capital was almost deserted on Sunday in stark contrast to crowds of Christmas shoppers seen there on previous days.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke on a TV program on Sunday, seeking people's understanding of the restrictions. He said a new variant of coronavirus is "out of control."

The government says the new strain is more transmissible than existing ones, but there is no evidence it causes more serious illness.

Other European countries are responding to prevent the spread of the new strain.

The Netherlands started banning passenger flights from Britain. France and Germany also decided to take a similar position.

NHK