COVID-19 Emergency: PM's Address to the Nation Announcing Lockdown

On Monday 23rd March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation and announced that everyone should stay at home to stop the further spread of the disease within our communities. The following measures will be reviewed after three weeks.

It is only permissible to leave your home for the following reasons: 

  • shopping for basic essentials, as infrequently as possible;
  • one form of exercise a day - such as a run or walk, alone or with a member of your household;
  • Any medical need, or to provide care to help a vulnerable person;
  • travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and you cannot work from home.

To ensure compliance with the Government's instruction to stay at home, they will:

  • close all shops selling non-essential goods,​ including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;
  • we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with;
  • and we’ll stop all social events​, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.

Gatherings will be dispersed by the police and they will have the power to further enforce these measures by issuing fines.

Link to the speech:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020

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