HEREFORDSHIRE Council has backed the Government's decision for a third national lockdown in England and to shut schools to most students.

Boris Johnson said the measures were needed to to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed by surging coronavirus infections.

Coun Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for children and families, said she had mixed feelings about the closures.

She understood the need for school and colleges to close for most pupils, but hoped they would be reopened sooner rather than later.

In a televised address to the nation on Monday night, the Prime Minister told the nation the measures, which include a requirement to stay indoors other than for limited exceptions, are expected to last until mid-February.

He ordered primary schools, secondaries and colleges to move to remote teaching for the majority of students from Tuesday.

Hereford Times: Herefordshire Council councillor Felicity NormanHerefordshire Council councillor Felicity Norman

Coun Norman said: "I think we've been anticipating it for a few hours if not a few days, it's been looking like it would come to this.

"We've realised this was coming and we've got mixed feelings about it. Obviously we need to do the safest thing for our children and the rest of the community but it is very hard.

"Children do need to be in school and we now how much they were looking forward to going back to school."

She added: "Broadly, they need to be back. I understand exactly why this had to happen, I don't disagree with it as it's the safest thing.

"But it is very disappointing as we all agree out children need to be in school."

Herefordshire Council as a whole is understood to have welcomed the tougher measures.

The lockdown will be brought into law as soon as possible, but Mr Johnson urged the public to follow the rules straight away.

Hereford Times: A family watch Prime Minister Boris Johnson making a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, setting out new emergency measures to control the spread of coronavirus in England. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire A family watch Prime Minister Boris Johnson making a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, setting out new emergency measures to control the spread of coronavirus in England. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

The regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament on Tuesday, with MPs retrospectively being given a vote after they are recalled early from the Christmas break on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson briefed his Cabinet on the measures on Monday evening and also spoke to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Exams will again face disruption as schools close to all those other than for the children of key workers and vulnerable children until after the February half-term. University students will not be allowed to return to their institutions.