British lawmakers voted with an overwhelming majority for England to enter a second coronavirus lockdown on Thursday for one month.

After several members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives said they would rebel against their leader in the vote, lawmakers still approved the new national lockdown with 516 yes votes to 38 no votes.

Members of parliament debated the restrictions for four hours before casting their votes.

From midnight on Thursday (0000 GMT), all non-essential shops, pubs, services and restaurants will close in England until December 2.

Schools, colleges and universities will remain open but people are being encouraged to work from home if possible.

Citizens are only allowed to leave their homes with a valid reason, which includes going to work, shopping for food or attending medical appointments. Exercise is also permitted outdoors, and people can meet friends or family outdoors under social distancing rules.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales won’t be facing the same rules as each nation has different restrictions in place to curb rising coronavirus cases.

Britain’s total number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus rose by 492 to reach 47,742 on Wednesday, the highest daily number of deaths since mid-March.

Source: dpa/MIA