Boris Johnson's announcement on tightened restrictions yesterday was perhaps less dramatic than anticipated, given the increasingly sombre messaging of recent days.
But his suggestion that the latest measures could last for six months will have caused a deep sense of dismay, and will have major implications for Christmas, with a profound impact on families and businesses which rely heavily on trade during this period.
While the leaders of the devolved administrations took part in a Cobra meeting yesterday, the steps outlined by Mr Johnson for England differed in some respects to those unveiled in other regions.
Like Northern Ireland, Scotland has imposed a ban on households mixing in private homes but this rule does not apply in England where the focus was on pub and restaurant curfews, wider mask use and tougher enforcement penalties.
Having previously urged workers to return to their offices, the prime minister was in reverse gear saying staff should work from home where possible, which has been the position of the Stormont executive throughout this pandemic.
It is clear Mr Johnson has stopped short of more stringent restrictions such as the so called circuit breaker option which would see a hard lockdown for two weeks in a bid to halt the transmission of the virus.
Presumably this will be kept in reserve to be used if the current round of measures don't have the necessary impact on infection rates.
The realisation that we could be facing six months of curtailed freedoms will be difficult for many people, particularly those feeling anxious and isolated by the pandemic.
They will need every support throughout the challenging winter months as will those who have seen their livelihoods and job security severely damaged.
The hospitality sector is only just getting back on its feet, with wet pubs reopening for the first time today, yet already there are fears about how long some businesses can go on.
In the Cobra meeting yesterday, deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill called for an extension of the jobs furlough scheme but said the government was not forthcoming.
However, if we are in for a prolonged period of disruption and uncertainty then financial support will be needed to help people get through the next few months.
