The new lockdown could last until March 31st, according to the new law

The newly published lockdown law reveals that the third lockdown could be in place until March 31st.

The new five-page lockdown law published on Tuesday explains the rules could remain in place until the end of March.

MPs are expected to vote on the law this afternoon, according to The Express.

Boris Johnson initially explained the the national lockdown will be reviewed in around six weeks time, during the February half term. 

Michael Gove speculated on Tuesday that the measures could run until March, explaining that ministers are set to ‘review the progress’ made on February 15th.

He added: “We hope that we will be able to progressively lift restrictions after that but what I can’t do is predict – nobody can predict – with accuracy exactly what we will be able to relax and when.

“What we do know is that the more effective our vaccination programme, the more people who are protected in that way, the easier it will be to lift these restrictions.”

Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty has also warned that lockdown restrictions could return next winter, reports the Coventry Telegraph.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, Dr Susan Hopkins, deputy director of the national infection service at Public Health England (PHE), said it could take 12 to 14 days for infections to come down after the introduction of the lockdown restrictions.

When asked if she thinks schools will be open after February half-term, she said: “I think it will really depends on the epidemiology of the virus… we will have to look at it by year, age group by age group, as happened the first time round, and the final decisions will lay with government over when they want to bring the students back.”

This comes after vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi seemed to rule out the possibility that teachers would be included in the priority list for the vaccine. When asked about the matter, he replied: “I think it’s right that we focus very much on the nine categories for the most vulnerable people that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has set us.

“Some teachers will be vaccinated because [they’re in a vulnerable category for other reasons] … I’ve been very clear that actually the most vulnerable should be the absolute priority.”

The length of the lockdown is currently speculation and as of now, yet to be confirmed – it’s largely dependent on how effective it is in bringing down case numbers.

The Commons has been recalled for today to debate the new lockdown and vote on regulations. Boris Johnson is set to make a statement to MPs about coronavirus at 11:30am.

At 2pm, Matt Hancock will open a Commons debate about the regulations with the vote coming at 7pm.