病毒新毒株在英国失控！首相约翰逊宣布多地封城，1/3英格兰人被禁圣诞聚会！（附视频&演讲稿）

“英国已对新冠病毒变种失去了控制。”英国卫生部长马特·汉考克20日表示。

据CNN报道，由于英国发现了具有更强感染性的新冠病毒变种，越来越多的国家20日已暂定往返英国的航班。

20日当天，英国打破了日常新冠病毒确诊病例记录，单日新增病例高达3.6万例。英国政府从当天起将全国多地疫情防控级别提升至第四级（Tier 4），伦敦则将再次封城。

据英国媒体报道称，不少民众抢在封城前搭乘各种交通工具“出逃”，但这一行为加剧了疫情传播。

据英国《卫报》报道，英国首相约翰逊19日宣布，英国首都伦敦等地区将从当地时间20日上午开始实施最高级别“4级”的封锁限制，以应对新冠病毒变异后快速传播的严峻局势。

约翰逊在讲话中表示，现在认为，新冠病毒的新变种传染性可能比原始毒株高70%，并补充说，它似乎推动了感染的快速传播。约翰逊呼吁居民不要外出旅行，“待在当地”，以防止变种病毒在国内和国外传播。新的限制措施要求民众在家工作，避免在其他地方过夜，不要离开本地，也建议全英格兰各地的人们不要外出旅行。同时，实施第4级限制地区的圣诞节活动将被取消，第3级限制地区民众须更改其圣诞节计划。

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Good afternoon,I am sorry to report that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago.

Yesterday afternoon, I was briefed on the latest data showing the virus spreading more rapidly in London, the South East and the East of England than would be expected given the tough restrictions which are already in place.

I also received an explanation for why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. It appears this spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus, which we first learned about earlier this week.

Our advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats – NERVTAG – has spent the last few days analysing the new variant.

There is no evidence the variant causes more severe illness or higher mortality, but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily.

NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant.

This is early data. It is subject to review. It is the best we have at the moment, and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast.

The U.K. has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world, which means we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country.

The Chief Medical Officer last night submitted our findings so far to the World Health Organisation and we will continue to be totally transparent with our global partners.

There is still much we don’t know. While we are fairly certain the variant is transmitted more quickly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness. Equally there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant.

Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding of the variant.

So we are learning more about this variant as we go.

But we know enough already to be sure that we must act now.

I met ministers on the Covid Operations Committee last night and again first thing this morning, and Cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions.

First, we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently in tier 3.

These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.

That means:

Residents in those areas must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law. Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close. People must work from home if they can, but may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors. People should not enter or leave tier 4 areas, and tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space.

Unlike the November national restrictions, communal worship can continue to take place in tier 4 areas.

These measures will take effect from tomorrow morning.

All tiers will continue to be regularly reviewed in line with the approach previously set out, with the next formal review point taking place on 30 December.

Second, we are issuing new advice on travel.

Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country.

We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.

People should carefully consider whether they need to travel abroad and follow the rules in their tier.

Those in tier 4 areas will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as for work purposes.

Third, we must, I am afraid, look again at Christmas.

As Prime Minister, it is my duty to take the difficult decisions, to do what is right to protect the people of this country.

Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, and the potential risk it poses, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.

In England, those living in tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness or isolation.

Across the rest of the country, the Christmas rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only, rather than the five days as previously set out.

As before, there will be no relaxation on 31 December, so people must not break the rules at New Year.

I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren, and for families to be together.

So I know how disappointing this will be, but we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science.

When the science changes, we must change our response.

When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence.

As your Prime Minister, I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me. Without action, the evidence suggests infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives.

I want to stress we are not alone in this fight – many of our European friends and neighbours are being forced to take similar action.

We are working closely with the devolved administrations to protect people in every part of the UK.

Of course there is now hope – real hope – that we will soon be rid of this virus.

That prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose administered.

The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approve vaccine.

So please, if the NHS contacts you then get your vaccine – and join the 350,000 people across the UK who have already had their first dose.

Yes, Christmas this year will be very different, but we must be realistic.

We are sacrificing our chance to see loved ones this Christmas, so we have a better chance of protecting their lives so we can see them at future Christmases.

As sure as night follows day, we will beat back this virus.

We will defeat it.

And we will reclaim our lives.

随着英国出现新冠病毒新变种毒株，该国新冠疫情再度面临即将失控的危机。当地时间周六，英国政府紧急对伦敦等地实施“封城”，并收紧全国防疫措施；而欧洲相邻国家纷纷限制英国旅客入境。

英国官员称，新变种毒株的传播能力比原始毒株高70％，这引起了人们对传播范围扩大的担忧。截止目前，已经有法国、德国，意大利，荷兰和比利时在内的多个欧洲国家限制英国旅客入境。

在英国脱欧过渡期即将结束之际，英国企业本来需要在新的海关规定生效前加大囤货。然而欧洲多国的旅行禁令让英国企业陷入进一步困境。周一早间，英镑跳空低开，国际油价集体跳水。

英国新冠疫情面临失控

当地时间19日，英国卫生部长马特·汉考克（Matt Hancock）建议，随着英国新冠感染病例激增至纪录新高，伦敦和英格兰东南部可能会在一段时间内保持更严格的社交限制措施，以阻止新冠病毒变种毒株快速传播。

英国政府在12月19日宣布，从20日起伦敦等部分地区的新冠疫情防控级别将提升至第4级（Tier 4），实行更严格的防疫措施。伦敦等地将再度“封城”，其他区域的防疫措施也会进一步收紧。

这一限制将持续两周，政府将于12月30日就是否将继续有关限制政策进行首次审议。《英国电讯报》报道称，第4级限制可能会保持到复活节后（明年4月4日）。

英国政府已经取消了此前放宽圣诞节限制的计划，并对超过1600万人实施了有效封锁。英国《每日邮报》12月19日报道称，在首相宣布防疫等级升级后，不少英国民众抢在“封城”前使用私家车和出租车等工具连夜“逃离伦敦”。近30万居民通过铁路、公路等方式火速“出逃”伦敦。

英国防疫等级示意图，颜色深最深区域为四级封锁区域，以伦敦和周边城市为主

英国卫生部长汉考克建议采取更严厉的隔离措施，要求约三分之一的英国人必须呆在家里，直到疫苗普及为止。据称，英国官员认为，在考虑采取任何重大放松措施之前，至少需要有2000万人接种了新冠病毒疫苗。

英国本月初开始使用辉瑞和BioNTech研发的疫苗为人们接种疫苗。

本周日，英国激增了35928例新冠感染病例，这是自新冠疫情开始以来的最高日增幅；新增326名新冠死亡病例，使英国官方统计的新冠死亡人数超过67000。

英国每日新增新冠感染病例

截止周日，英国共有超过204万新冠感染病例，超过6.7万新冠死亡病例。

新变种毒株传播能力比原始毒株高70%

英国首相约翰逊周六表示，在英国发现了新冠病毒的新变种，这种变种比目前的病毒"感染性要高出70%"，不过尚无迹象显示，"该变种会导致更多重症，或者致死率更高"。

约翰逊还表示，这个新变种也不会影响新冠疫苗的有效性。

不过，英国卫生大臣汉考克声称，新变种已经“失控”。他说，所有人都必须像自己感染了病毒一样小心。

英国BBC报道称，在伦敦地区，11月中旬这种新变体感染占新冠感染总数的28%，而现在猛增到60%。

汉考克表示，这种新冠病毒的新变异可能正是最近英格兰东南部新病例猛增的原因。

目前，世卫组织已经在针对新冠病毒新变种问题与英国政府联系。世卫组织周六夜间在推特上发布了该消息，表示英国当局将向世卫提供对新变种分析与研究的更多信息，同时也建议人们继续采取防疫措施，避免病毒的进一步传播。

此外，荷兰政府也宣布，该国也在12月初发现了这种传染性更强的新变种，目前专家正在对其进行调查。

欧洲邻国已经关闭面向英国的大门

当地时间周日，欧洲邻国纷纷对来自英国的旅客关闭大门，这是因为人们对新冠病毒迅速蔓延的警钟引起了警惕。

荷兰最先宣布禁止英国航班入境。荷兰政府宣布，暂时不允许来自英国的客运航班进入荷兰，这项规定从周日（12月20日）早上6点生效，截止1月1日。

随后，法国政府也表示，从周日晚间开始的48小时内，将禁止所有来自英国的客运或货运入境，无论是通过公路、空运、海运还是铁路。

德国、意大利和荷兰则下令中止从英国起飞的航班，而爱尔兰则表示将对其英国的航班和渡轮实施限制。

当地时间12月20日，比利时首相德克罗宣布，自本周日（20日）起，暂时关闭比利时与英国的边境，至少持续24小时，届时往返两国之间的航班和“欧洲之星”列车将停运。

意大利卫生部长罗伯托·斯佩兰萨（Roberto Speranza）说：“最近在伦敦发现的新冠病毒变种令人担忧，需要我们的科学家进行调查。”“与此同时，我们选择了最大的谨慎之路。”

当地时间周日，加拿大也加入了禁止英国客运航班的行列。据外媒报道，奥地利和瑞典也正在计划禁止从英国起飞的航班。

罗马尼亚，立陶宛，拉脱维亚，爱沙尼亚，保加利亚和捷克共和国也宣布了计划禁止从英国起飞的航班。

英国政府亟需解决进出口货运问题

这场新冠疫情危机引起的欧洲大陆对英国的旅行限制进一步加剧英国进出口货运问题。到今年年底，英国脱欧过渡期即将结束，英国最终将于12月31日退出欧盟。然而，英国政府和欧盟迄今仍未能达成脱欧后的贸易协议，而在这截止日期前一周时间内，英欧之间航班终端，进一步加剧了货物物流陷入混乱的程度。

对许多英国企业来说，旅行限制措施出台之际正值一个困难时期。12月31日英国脱欧过渡期将结束，新的海关规定将生效，这些企业必须要在截止日期之前进行最后的储备。

目前，英国食品饮料联合会（FDF）CEO已经发出警告称，英法货运航班中断将会严重破坏英国圣诞节期间的新鲜食品供应，以及英国食品饮料的出口。政府必须尽快让法国政府恢复两国货运航班。

英国总理鲍里斯·约翰逊（Boris Johnson）周一将主持紧急应对会议，讨论新冠疫情加剧背景下如何应对国际旅行，特别是进出英国的货运流量问题。

“总理将主持COBR（紧急响应）会议，讨论有关国际旅行的情况，特别是进出英国的货运量的稳定增长。”英国政府发言人说：“今天（周一）晚上和明天早上将举行进一步的会议，以确保制定有力的计划。”

英国交通部长格兰特沙普斯（Grant Shapps）敦促英国人，尤其是货运人员不要前往英格兰南部肯特的港口，并在推特上警告称，“我们预计该地区将出现严重混乱”。

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