Boris Johnson's simple instruction: You must stay at home

As we continue to face the unprecedented impacts on our lives, caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic, we in the UK wake up today with the most drastic restrictive measures ever imposed on us by the UK Government in modern peacetime history.  The country is basically in lockdown, in an urgent bid to slow the fast-spreading virus.

The orders were given by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson who in a televised statement last evening said: “I must give the British people very simple instruction: you must stay at home.”

This instruction was originally given as advice in the previous week but as it had proven to be ineffective since many people did not take it seriously, the government has now stopped all public gatherings of more than two people and the police have been given powers to enforce this through the dispensation of fines or dispersing of gatherings.   All social events, including weddings and baptisms, have been banned, although, funerals are allowed to take place.

All non-essential shops including clothing and electronic retail outlets are to be shut to “ensure compliance”, announced the prime minister.
UK residents should only leave their homes in the following circumstances:

To shop for basic necessities such as food and medicine, as supermarkets, food shops and pharmacies are allowed to stay open, infrequently

For one form of exercise a day outdoors; either alone or with members of your household (people who live together in the same address)

For any medical needs or to provide care or help the vulnerable

To travel to and from work, only when necessary (Crowded trains are a perfect scenario for spreading and sharing virus.)
In the public broadcast, Johnson told viewers: “I know the damage that this disruption is doing to lives, businesses and jobs. That’s why we’ve produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support.

“The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades. Without a huge national effort to halt the growth on this virus there will come a moment where no health service in the world will be able to cope.

“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. It’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.

Johnson said: ”I know the people of this country will rise to that challenge and we will come through it stronger than ever. We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together. Therefore, I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.”

This will be reviewed in three weeks, said Johnson, and be relaxed if there is evidence to be able to.