ENGLAND has begun a four-week lockdown to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.

On Wednesday, the UK recorded a further 492 coronavirus deaths – the highest daily figure since 19 May – and 25,177 confirmed cases.

The lockdown replaces the three tiers of regional restrictions, previously implemented across England.

Mr Johnson told MPs that a second lockdown was “not something any of us wanted to do” but insisted the restrictions represented “the best and safest path for our country”.

People are told to stay at home and non-essential shops, pubs and gyms ordered to close with households banned from mixing indoors or in private gardens, unless in a support bubble.

Police have warned that people who commit the most “egregious” breaches of the rules will face stiff fines.

However, the lockdown will “expire automatically” on 2 December.

BBC