Britain closed its schools this week ahead of a new national lockdown, as Europe battles surging coronavirus infections.

A woman wearing a protective mask exits Bank underground station amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, on Jan. 5, 2021.

Officials promised £4.6 billion ($6.3 billion) to help battered businesses weather the latest lockdown in England. Other parts of the U.K. are also initiating or extending lockdowns.

People walk over London Bridge amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

The B117 strain is believed to have emerged in England in September and has since been detected across the world.

A person walking next to Tower Bridge is reflected on a window amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

Two homeschooled children attend class online at home in Milton Keynes, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A deserted high street amid the COVID-19 lockdown in St Albans, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A person wearing a face mask walks past a billboard amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Manchester, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

Workers paint social distancing signs at Eel Brook Common as Britain began its third COVID-19 lockdown in Fulham, London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A medic stands next to an ambulance at the Royal London Hospital amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A shopper pushes a cart outside a Costco store amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Manchester, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

Commuters on the underground in an almost empty train compartment amid the COVID outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A shopper checks their cart outside a Costco store amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Manchester, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

People walk over London Bridge amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A person wearing a protective mask walks over London Bridge amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

People walk in a deserted square amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Liverpool, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A woman carrying an umbrella crosses a street at Bank Junction amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.

A woman carrying an umbrella crosses a street at Bank Junction amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in London, Britain, Jan. 5, 2021.