Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced stricter rules that ban people from socialising outside or having people in their own homes who they do not already live with.
All non-essential gatherings of more than two people, such as for worship, are also banned as of Monday night.
In an address to the nation following a meeting of COBRA, the government’s emergency response group, Mr Johnson declared that that efforts to control the spread of the virus must be stepped up.
He said that despite requests to limit interactions outside and call for social distancing over the past week, tougher measures were needed.
He said: “Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.”
What are the valid reasons to go outside?
- Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
- One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
- Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
Which shops can remain open?
- All shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship are closed.
- All gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with.
- All social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.
How long are the rules in force?
The new rules are enforced immediately, as of the Prime Minister’s declaration on Monday night.
They will apply for at least three weeks. It is possible this will be extended if the number of new diagnoses does not fall sufficiently.
Other countries have extended the period of so-called ‘lockdown’ longer than initially planned, with Denmark declaring on Monday that its strict rules will only be in place until 13 April. The Netherlands has announced their similar rules will be in place until 1 June.
What happens if you break the rules?
Mr Johnson said: “If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”
He added: “Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.”
What did the Prime Minister warn?
Mr Johnson said that “there were simply no easy options” to tackling the spread of coronavirus and that the health service must be protected.
He explained: “To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well. So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.
“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home.
“Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.”
