In a declaration of a ‘national emergency’, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shut down all non-essential shops amid a major clampdown on all social interaction as part of the country’s battle against COVID-19.
“No prime minister wants to enact measures like this,” said Mr Johnson. “I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.
“And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.”
From tonight, people will be allowed to leave their homes for:
- shopping for basic necessities, food or medicine, and “as little as you can”
- one form of exercise a day
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”
Other restrictions include:
- 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, but funerals are excluded.
- Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
Restrictions are “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks. They will be relaxed “if the evidence shows we are able to”.
The government has set up a business support helpline, which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm. More information can be found here. The latest UK Government advice can be found here.
There is a dedicated Government Business Support site here.