Britain considering imposition of new national lockdown measures: Times

The new restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until Dec. 1, the Times said.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing new national lockdown measures next week, amid concerns that hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, The Times newspaper reported on Friday.

The new restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until Dec. 1, the Times said.

Mr. Johnson is expected to hold a news conference on Monday to announce the new measures, under which everything could be closed except essential shops and educational settings,” the newspaper said.

However, the new measures were still under discussion, and no final decision had been made,

the Times added, citing a senior government source.

The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data.