Last night (January 4), Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a return to social restrictions similar to the first lockdown in March in a bid to curb a rapidly spreading new variant of Covid-19. With Sussex already under tier 4 restrictions, meaning hospitality businesses and non-essential shops were closed, the changes are not as dramatic as felt in the spring. But perhaps the most major shift is the closure of all schools and colleges, despite Mr Johnson saying this was not necessary only 24 hours before. Mr Loughton said the decision to close schools had left him ‘bitterly disappointed’. “It is very disappointing that the Prime Minister has had to announce a further national lockdown and I continue to take issue with the effectiveness of such lockdowns and the negative impact that they can have on so many people’s lives,” said the Conservative MP. “I am bitterly disappointed that schools will now have to close again when we know just how damaging that is to our children and the Government was making every effort to keep them open despite a barrage of criticism. “I will look to voice my concerns when Parliament is recalled on Wednesday but in the meantime it is important that everyone follows the new regulations and I will publish the new guidance and requirements on my website as it becomes available.” The head teacher of Worthing High School, Pan Panayiotou, was not impressed by the timing of the school closures. Read more here: Sussex school closures: Head teacher blasts ‘very frustrating’ U-turnThis animation shows the data that forced the Government to announce another lockdown: Sussex coronavirus cases: Animation shows meteoric rise since December as lockdown begins