PM: New measures to tackle Coronavirus outbreak
Written by Dan Williams on 23rd March 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the UK tonight announcing new measures to tackle Coronavirus outbreak. Here’s what was announced…
- From tonight, people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only “very limited purposes” – shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”
- People are warned not to meet friends or family members who they do not live with
- Shopping is only permitted for essentials like food and medicine, and people are advised to do it “as little as you can”
- Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
- All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, are ordered to close
- Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close
- All gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with – are banned
- All social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned
- Funerals are not included in the new restrictions
- Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
- Restrictions “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks. They will be relaxed “if the evidence shows we are able to”
Here are some statistics on the Coronavirus outbreak across the UK and globally*:
- 335 people with the virus have died in the UK
- 350,000 confirmed cases worldwide, with nearly 15,000 deaths and almost 100,000 people recovering
- Italy deaths drop for second day in a row as it enters tougher lockdown
- Death toll in Spain passes 2,000
*Figures are up to date as of 21:25 on Monday 23rd March.
