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Britain has become the latest European country in lockdown as the U.K. government announced a raft of restrictions preventing the population from leaving home apart from four exceptions.
There is now a blanket travel restrictions, and police will have powers to fine or disperse people who venture onto the street for any other reason than to buy food, address any medical need, travel to a workplace for essential work, or undertake daily exercise. These steps come as the U.K. death toll rose to 335.
All shops selling nonessential goods have been told to close, and gatherings of more than two people in public who do not live in the same household have been banned.
Johnson said: “I must give the British people a very simple instruction: You must stay at home. To ensure compliance with the government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately close all shops selling nonessential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises, including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had ramped up the nation’s response to the outbreak last Friday, telling pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, theaters, cinemas and gyms to close.
But he has been forced to go a step further after people were seen flouting his social-distancing recommendations over the weekend, with parks packed with people and buses and trains full of passengers.
Most major sporting and social events have already been canceled, but it is only now that the government has taken the step to ban mass gatherings after making incremental decisions at what is described as “the right time based on the best scientific evidence.”
Johnson announced the sweeping changes from 10 Downing Street on Monday evening, saying: “We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.”
Britons joins some 47 million Spaniards in staying at home in the attempt to contain the outbreak, while 40,000 Italians are being prosecuted for flouting similar restrictions aimed at protecting them. When Italy and Spain announced their lockdowns, markets reacted badly.
But the response by investors may be more muted on Tuesday morning because the capital has been gradually shutting itself down, with as many as 40 London Underground tube stations having already closed and the after pubs and restaurants ban. However, the announcement Monday is a significant step.
There have been 129 confirmed deaths from coronavirus in London which is by far the worst-hit area in a country where 6,650 cases have been confirmed.
Johnson said: “If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”
Last week the queen sent a message of support from Windsor Castle: “We know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty.
“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge.”
There have been calls to delay Brexit talks by politicians who opposed Britain’s leaving the EU, with some claiming it was “absolutely insane” to stick to the original timetable. If the EU has not agreed a trade deal with Britain by Dec. 31 it will fall back onto World Trade Organization rules.
Complicating matters, Michel Barnier, the EU’s hardline Brexit negotiator, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He had come into contract with Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission president, who was forced to take a test, which proved negative.
Read (from March 15): ‘It’s going to be daunting’: U.K. considers herd-immunity approach — allowing more people to contract coronavirus
