Boris Johnson announced total lockdown measures to tackle coronavirus: stay at home or face a fine.
Sky News reports that in a “dramatic and historic” TV address to the nation, Johnson said all shops apart from food stores and chemists must close immediately, meeting friends will be banned – but one form of exercise a day will be allowed.
The Telegraph reports that Boris Johnson has announced a complete lockdown of the UK, banning people from leaving their homes or meeting in groups of more than two people as the Government scrambles to enforce social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In a public address to the nation this evening, the Prime Minister said the public will not be allowed to leave their homes except for a few specific reasons, and could be fined £30 for meeting outside in groups of more than two people.
All non-essential shops will close, as will outdoor gyms, kiosks and places of worship, except for funerals.
The unprecedented measures were prompted by fears in Downing Street that its coronavirus suppression measures have been ignored by the public, and modelling that suggests at least three quarters of people must follow them for the NHS to be kept afloat.
Under the new lockdown, members of the public must not leave their house except to :
- Shop for essentials, as infrequently as possible
- Exercise outdoors once per day, alone or with household members
- Receive medical treatment or provide care Travel to and from work if impossible to work from home
The Independent reported the announcement that all British households have been told to stay at home except for a strictly limited set of purposes – with police having powers to enforce the instructions with fines.
Shops selling non-essential goods have been ordered to close, along with libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.
Weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies are being stopped, but funerals will continue to go ahead. And all public gatherings of more than two people – except for members of the same household – will be banned
British Media
