"THE new lockdown isn't strict enough" - this seems to be the general view of many locals following the weekend announcement of a second national lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for a re-implementation of the national lockdown the country had in place earlier this year in a "shock" press conference on Saturday (October 31), with some restrictions being less severe.

READ MORE: Queues and empty shelves as Reading "prepares" for second lockdown

The PM said the national lockdown will start at one second past midnight on Thursday, November 5, and will last until Wednesday, December 2.

Responding to The Chronicle's live coverage on Saturday evening, Hollie Jayne said: "I don't think anyone is shocked by this, we all saw it coming, instead of having a two week circuit breaker during half term, we now have a month lockdown.

"As before, it's too little, too late.

"Why don't we learn from countries that have tackled the virus and won?

"Or the 1918 Spanish flu where the second wave was worse than before?"

Meanwhile, local Karen Hatton said she believes the new restrictions don't class as a "true lockdown."

She said: "It's not a lockdown if schools are open - children can carry it, pass it on to adults - that's why numbers went down in total lockdown.

"Kids of all ages go back to school, cases rise again. Try smaller classes / half days if anything."

This view was echoed by Nina Simone, who commented: "Yet we can still do everything basically... Hardly a lockdown is it?"

Sarah Jane Tucker also expressed the view that the second lockdown wasn't strict enough, adding: "Not really a lockdown."

Responding to a Chronicle Facebook question asked just before the PM's speech, asking: "Should there be a second lockdown?" Karen Orchard replied: "We have all been wearing face masks/coverings since August and still we get a second wave - now we have to go into a four week lockdown."

Kayleigh Lawrence said: "The lockdown isn't going to help until we get a vaccine" while Hugh Lamb said: "[we] can't afford to."

Andy Orchard said: "We do, but it needs to be done correctly.

"Masks should have been the norm back in March.

"Plastic shields/barriers should have been put up in March.

"But, this is all based on hindsight.

"I don't know the right answer - we pay our taxes so that others are to make these decisions for us..."

Cathy O'Nyons held the view that local lockdowns were not restrictive enough, adding: "The local lockdowns need to be stricter.

"Make it law. No travelling outside. Merlin remain open in Blackpool for example.

"How/Why? Stricter lockdowns for regions peaking."

Meanwhile, Jayne McKeown and Karen Thornhill simply answered "Yes".

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Reading Chronicle:

The national lockdown which will see the following places shut:

  • Pubs
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment venues
  • Non-essential shops

People will be told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave.

They will be allowed to leave for work, if they cannot work from home - including those who work in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The following places will remain open:

  • Colleges
  • Schools
  • Nurseries
  • Universities

People will be allowed outside to exercise and socialise in public spaces outside with their household or one other person, but not indoors or in private gardens, and will be able to travel to work if they cannot work from home.