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Coronavirus: Britain in lockdown as strict rules ban social interaction

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Coronavirus: Britain in lockdown as strict rules ban social interaction

Boris Johnson has said that only food stores, hardware shops, chemists, petrol stations and newsagents will be allowed to remain open. He had a simple instruction to Brits to "stay home"

By Ben Glaze Deputy Political Editor
Nicola Bartlett Political Correspondent

20:32, 23 MAR 2020 Updated22:46, 23 MAR 2020

Britain was ordered into an unprecedented lockdown as coronavirus shut the UK.  All “non-essential” shops were closed, with only food stores, corner shops, hardware stores, chemists, petrol stations and newsagents allowed to remain open.  People will be allowed out once a day to exercise and were warned to go shopping for food as infrequently as possible.  The emergency measures to tackle the Covid-19 spread came into force and will last for three weeks before being reviewed.  Announcing the move from No10, Boris Johnson admitted: “No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this."

In a sober address, Mr. Johnson said: “I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses, and to their jobs.”

He added: “At present, there are just no easy options.  The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.”

People will be allowed out to buy vital necessities such as food or collect medication, and the Government wants them to go “as infrequently as possible”.  They can leave the house once a day for exercise such as a run, walk or bike ride – either alone or with someone from their own household.  They can also leave for any medical need, for example, cancer treatment or providing care or help to vulnerable people shielding themselves from the virus.  Workers who are unable to work from home are allowed to travel but officials stressed they expected most people to stay at home.  Gatherings of more than two people in public were banned unless they are members of your own household.  Social events, weddings, and baptisms were also axed though funerals can still go ahead.  Rule-breakers face being clobbered with on-the-spot fines of £30 from Thursday, though they could be hiked up.  The lockdown will be introduced by a Government regulation under the Public Health Control of Diseases Act 1984.  The Prime Minister spent days resisting mounting demands to trigger a Covid-19 shutdown.  But pictures of “selfish” tourists packing sunshine spots and accusations people could not be trusted to follow official advice fuelled the decision, which came at a meeting of the Government's COBRA emergency committee.  Finally bowing to pressure, Mr. Johnson brought down Britain's shutters in a primetime television address to the nation.  Outlining the draconian measures, which go beyond even wartime restrictions, the PM told anxious viewers: “You should not be meeting friends.  If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.  You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.  You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine and you should do this as little as you can and use food delivery services where you can.  If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”

The PM's speech, which he wrote himself and which did not use the word “lockdown”, came less than three hours after Britons travelling abroad were told to return home immediately.  Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We are strongly urging UK travellers overseas to return home now, where and while there are still commercial routes to do so.  Around the world, more airlines are suspending flights and more airports are closing, some without any notice.  Where commercial routes don’t exist, our staff are working round the clock to give advice and support to UK nationals. If you are on holiday abroad the time to come home is now while you still can.”

Jeremy Corbyn described it as the "right response" but the Labour leader called for more clarity on which workplaces should close.  "This is the right response to the coronavirus pandemic and one we have been calling for.  There now needs to be clear guidance to employers and workers about which workplaces should close and the Government must close the loopholes to give security to all workers, including the self-employed, as well as renters and mortgage holders.  We welcome these moves and will be working to ensure everybody has the protection and security they need.”

The UK's coronavirus death toll climbed to 335, with another 46 deaths in England, four in Wales and four in Scotland.  The disease could kill up to 70,000 people unless lockdown measures are beefed-up, research suggests.  Experts at University College London and Cambridge University estimate current measures will result in between 35,000 and 70,000 excess deaths.  Millions of children were at home after schools stayed closed after the weekend – piling extra pressure on stressed families.  The stark measure came amid mounting anger at Covid-19 rebels who defied official advice to keep two metres apart and instead flocked to sun-drenched tourist hotspots over the weekend.  Branding them “very selfish”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “If people don't follow the rules we are going to have to get tougher still.”

Pictures emerged of packed London Tube trains with commuters crammed into carriages – in stark contrast to Whitehall pleas for “social-distancing”.  As the Commons debated the emergency Coronavirus Bill, MPs from all sides demanded tougher action to stop people going out and a public information campaign.  Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said: “The Government has, quite correctly, sought to promote social-distancing as a means to reduce person-to-person transmission of the virus.  These measures have been, for the most part, on a purely voluntary basis.  But still too many are not following the advice.  We have all seen the pictures this weekend of bustling markets, packed Tube trains and busy beaches and parks.  I’m afraid the public health message still isn’t being heard loud and clear.”

Tory backbencher Mark Pritchard said: "It's right that people should have exercise physical, mental health and wellbeing but social-distancing is not being followed by many.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford blasted tourists for heading to the Scottish Highlands.  “We have been absolutely inundated with people that show no concern for the local population,” he said.

“This is a dangerous, dangerous situation. They are imperilling the lives of our constituents.  They must go home and they must stay at home.”

Green MP Caroline Lucas called for a “much bigger, wider, louder, more comprehensive public education campaign because right now it clearly is not getting through”.

Aslef train drivers' union district organiser Finn Brennan said packed carriages were “making social-distancing impossible”.  He added: "This is endangering the health of the vital workers who have to use the system.  The Government must act now to ensure only essential journeys are made.”

Rail, Maritime, and Transport union general secretary Mick Cash said: "The only people using our transport services should be essential workers who have to travel.  Everyone else should stay away to protect themselves, the staff and the wider community."

A Labour MP and A&E medic feared Mr. Johnson's “relaxed” approach will “cost lives”.  Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, who works at St George's Hospital, South London, told the BBC: "If we look at the fact that we are two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the social distancing measures.  The Prime Minister simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also saying that people should stay two metres apart outdoors.  This relaxed style, mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they are just not clear."

She backed a "full lockdown" if it would save lives.  Health workers' leaders urged those flouting social-distancing advice to think again.  Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Don’t be foolish and think social distancing applies to someone else, not to you and your family.  It’s insulting to brave healthcare staff on the frontline.  NHS and care employees are putting their lives in danger every day at work this is so we can all stay safe at home with our loved ones.  But selfish people taking risks are adding to the immense burden on hospitals.  Do what’s right to stay away from other people.”

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