UK restrictions for at least three weeks
“No prime minister wants to enact measures like this,” says 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.”
He adds: “And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
“But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.”
From tonight, people will be allowed to leave their homes for:
- 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 their household;
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
- travelling to and from work, but only where it is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home
M: No gatherings of more than two people
Mr Johnson says the government will immediately:
- close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores – as well as other premises like libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship
- stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with
- stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but allow funerals
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed, he says.
M: Police will have power to enforce rules
Boris Johnson says people should not be meeting their friends – and if they are asked to meet up, they should say no.
People should not meet family members outside their home, he says, or go shopping for anything except for essentials like food or medicine.
“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings,” he adds
Restrictions placed on when people can leave home
Boris Johnson has just announced a raft of restrictions people in the UK are being urged to follow.
From tonight, people will be allowed to leave their homes for:
- 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 their household;
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
- travelling to and from work, but only where it is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home
This is not a lockdown, but it’s as close as you can get to one without it being called a lockdown.
Stay at home from this evening’
“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home,” says Mr Johnson, speaking to the UK.
“Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.”
He says that is why people will only be able to leave home for very limited purposes.
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