UK's Johnson orders shops closed, no gatherings over virus
UK PM Johnson ordered stringent restrictions on people’s movement to slow the spread of the coronavirus, saying people should stay at home unless they are buying food, travelling to work, needing medical care or exercising. In a televised address to the nation, Johnson told people they should not be meeting friends or family members who do not live in their homes.
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 11:53 | 23 March 2020
- Modified Date: 11:53 | 23 March 2020
British Prime Minster Boris Johnson has ordered the closure of most retail stores and banned gatherings for three in a stepped-up response to slow the new coronavirus.
The measures Johnson announced in an address to the nation on Monday night are more closely aligned with sweeping actions taken in France, Spain and Italy but mark a departure from the British government's until-now more relaxed approach to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Britain has already closed schools, bars an restaurants and urged people to stay home. But while many followed the instructions, some did not.
The approach has led to confusion, and caused alarm by public officials worried about the ever escalating numbers of cases.
There were growing calls for the government to impose tighter restrictions with more rigorous enforcement.
Johnson said that he was giving "the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.''
He offered a list of limited purposes for which leaving home would be allowed, including essential shopping, medical appointments and one form of exercise a day.