Coronavirus Outbreak: UK goes into full lockdown

The UK goes into full lockdown from Monday evening with the British public only allowed to leave their homes to buy food or do essential work.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the decision on Monday evening after the UK saw a surge in coronavirus cases.

Johnson in a televised statement from his Downing Street residence said. “From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home”.

“You should not be meeting friends,” Johnson told the UK.

“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.”

“We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together. And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.”

People will be only be allowed to leave home for the following “very limited purposes” that include;

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, and travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

Furthermore, all shops selling “non-essential goods” as well as playgrounds, libraries, and places of worship will be closed.

British PM  also announced a ban on gatherings of more than two people in public, excluding those people who live together.

All social gatherings will also be banned according to the new announcement including “weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, however,  funerals are excluded.

“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings”, warned PM.