Dr Alex George has revealed the decision to place London into Tier 4 will keep him apart from his family this Christmas.
This means the Love Island star, 30, will be alone during his first Christmas without his younger brother – who lost his life to mental health earlier this year, aged just 19.
The inspirational medic took to Instagram to tell his followers about this, and insist he was keeping his chin up despite the latest blow – which is tearing thousands of families apart across the country this Christmas.
Fighter: Dr Alex George has revealed the decision to place London into Tier 4 will keep him apart from his family this Christmas
‘Looks like I will be alone in London this Christmas. As hard as it is to swallow and as upsetting as it is for the family, I will do what is necessary,’ he wrote in his post, alongside a snap of him head-to-toe in PPE, as he continues to fight coronavirus on the front line in A&E.
‘I am going to offer my help to the hospital over Christmas, to look after those who are sick and away from their families at this time,’ the selfless doctor went on. ‘This year has been crap but I refuse to lose hope or despair.
‘I will not let this get me down. I am sending positivity and love to anyone affected by tonight’s announcement. Remember. There is always hope of a better day.’
Boris Johnson cancelled Christmas for almost 18 million people across London and eastern and south-east England on Saturday, after scientists warned of the rapid spread of the new variant coronavirus.
First Christmas: This means the Love Island star, 30, will be alone during his first Christmas without his younger brother – who lost his life to mental health earlier this year, aged just 19
Positive attitude: The inspirational medic took to Instagram to tell his followers about this, and insist he was keeping his chin up despite the latest blow – which is tearing thousands of families apart across the country this Christmas
He announced that from Sunday areas in the regions currently in Tier 3 will be moved into a new Tier 4 for two weeks – effectively returning to the lockdown rules of November.
In the rest of England, the planned Christmas easing of the restrictions – allowing three households to meet over the festive period – will be severely curtailed to apply to Christmas Day only.
The PM said: ‘Yes Christmas this year will be different, very different. We’re sacrificing the chance to see our loved ones this Christmas so that we have a better chance of protecting their lives, so that we can see them at future Christmases.’
The announcement came as a bitter blow to millions of families looking forward to spending time together, and to retailers hoping to make up for a torrid year with last minute Christmas sales.
Reassurance: He posted a note to Instagram stories on Saturday night, insisting he was ok
For those areas affected, non-essential shops, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and bowling alleys will be forced to close – while people will be restricted to meeting one other person from another household in an outdoor public space.
There will be a review of the rules in England on December 30.
Earlier this month, Dr Alex returned for a new series of his podcast The Waiting Room, and opened with a tribute to Llŷr, who died in July.
‘I’ve been going through the hardest time in my personal life after loosing my brother Llŷr to mental health in July,’ Alex told listeners. ‘He was only 19 with a career in medicine ahead of him.
Happy holidays! Boris Johnson cancelled Christmas for almost 18 million people across London and eastern and south-east England on Saturday, after scientists warned of the rapid spread of the new variant coronavirus
‘I was so so proud of him. I miss him so much and he is always in my thoughts.’
Thanking his followers, Alex went on: ‘Your support has been overwhelming, your kindness and your care, and I just want to take a moment to acknowledge this. Thank you so much, you have been amazing.’
Alex used the opportunity to advise others in similar circumstances.
‘To anyone who is struggling please reach out and ask for help. There is always hope of a better day.’
Hero: A&E doctor Alex shot to fame on Love Island 2018
Alex recalled what someone ‘very very wise’ told him after his brother passed away.
‘Life throws us into the deep end at times but with the help of family and friends we overcome even the most seemingly surmountable of challenges. Just know you are never alone.’
Reflecting on the grieving process, Alex added: ‘Grief is an ongoing process and I’ll never get over losing Llŷr, but i want to continue doing the things that are important to me.’
A&E doctor Alex – who shot to fame on Love Island 2018 – was debuting the fourth series of the podcast after a trying year.
He’s been treating Covid-19 patients at Lewisham Hospital in London and sharing his experiences with the nation in his role as a TV medic.
Family: The Love Island star’s brother tragically passed away in July aged 19 and was just weeks away from getting into medical school and following in Alex’s footsteps
Alex confirmed his brother’s passing on social media in July, describing him as ‘the kindest and most caring soul’.
Speaking on Lorraine recently, Dr Alex said mental health should be taught in schools as it’s important to provide children with a toolkit.
He told Lorraine Kelly: ‘We’re really moving into a mental health crisis in schools and around the country.
‘Recent statistics released show there’s been over 1.5million increases in the number of cases of children struggling with their mental health since Covid and very sadly, a sharp increase in the number of suicides too, so we do have to take it seriously.’
Alex said: ‘It’s been a tough few months, he passed on the 23rd of June so not that long ago. I’m probably still very much in a numb phase’
Dr Alex said that while there is some ‘fantastic work’ being done across the country, every child deserves the right to good mental health education.
He said: ‘There’s some fantastic work being done… people who are really passionate about this and there are incredible resources out there with Time to Change, Heads Together, but we need to integrate that in all schools around the country.
‘So you haven’t just got pockets of good mental health teaching and support, it should be in every school.
‘In my opinion, every child has a right to good mental health education and good mental health support, which means counsellors in every school.’
Dr Alex said there needs to be funding for mental health education at schools and it should sit as a subject alongside maths and English.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.