Housing market to stay open as UK re-enters lockdown

Construction sites and the housing market will remain open as the prime minister confirmed tonight that England would be plunged into a third national lockdown.

People will be ordered to stay at home until at least 15 February and advised only to leave once a day for exercise.

The new measures come into force from Wednesday morning – and will be voted on by MPs later that day – but prime minister Boris Johnson said businesses are being advised to close from tonight.

But construction sites have been told to carry on working, like manufacturing, and builders merchants have also been classed as essential retail along with supermarkets and chemists.

Government guidance published alongside Johnson’s announcement said this was “essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers”.

Tradespeople can also continue to work in other people’s homes while adhering to covid secure guidelines.

In addition the housing market will remain open, with estate agents allowed to stay open, and moving house allowed, albeit with the guidance warning that “people outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.”

The new measures follow the emergence last month of a new variant of covid-19 which the government’s scientists have found to be 50% to 70% more infectious.

Johnson added: “With most of the country already under extreme measures, it’s clear that we need to do more together to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out.”

Earlier today, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a similar lockdown which starts at midnight tonight.

Construction sites north of the border have been told they can remain open although they have been told to “plan for the minimum number of people needed on site to operate safely and effectively”.