British Prime Minister Johnson orders shops closed, no gatherings over virus
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the public Monday night to “stay at home” for all but a few exceptions and ordered shops that don’t sell essential goods to shut down as he ramped up restrictions imposed by the U.K. government in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, Johnson said it was critical to prevent the virus from spreading between households and that police would be authorized to break up gatherings of more than two people in public during what he termed a “national emergency.”
“I must give the British people a very simple instruction,” the prime minister said. “You must stay at home.”
Under
the measures, the most draconian restrictions the British state has
ever imposed in peacetime, people will only be allowed to leave home for
a few “very limited purposes” to relieve the pressure on the National
Health Service, Johnson said.
These include shopping for basic
necessities “as infrequently as possible,” one form of exercise a day
done alone or with household members, medical reasons or travelling to
work that cannot be done from home or that is “absolutely necessary.”
“That’s
all — these are the only reasons you should leave your home,” he said.
“To ensure compliance with the government’s instruction to stay at
home, we will immediately 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.”
Johnson said the police will have the power to enforce the new requirements, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
Social
events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, will also be
stopped. Funerals are exempt. Parks will also remain open for exercise,
but any gatherings will be broken up.
Johnson has come under
mounting pressure to introduce tougher measures in response to the virus
pandemic after many people were seen out in public over the weekend not
properly observing the government’s social distancing recommendations.
Officials
at Snowdonia National Park in Wales, for example, introduced its own
restrictions and urged the government to be more explicit with its
social distancing advice after its “busiest visitor weekend in living
memory.” And responding to the visibly high use of parks and the London
Underground during the outbreak, London Mayor Sadiq Khan implored people
to stay at home unless they “absolutely need to” move about the city.
British
Health Secretary Matt Hancock had earlier expressed frustration at the
failure of many to abide by the government’s restrictions, describing
those who gathered in groups up and down the land as “very selfish.”
The
U.K. had the 10th-highest number of virus cases in the world, 5,903,
and the sixth-highest number of virus-related deaths as of Monday,
according to tallies from Johns Hopkins University. British government
figures showed that 54 more people with the virus had died since Sunday,
bringing the country’s total to 335.
New infections are
increasing at an exponential rate, raising concern that the country will
be on a trajectory like Italy’s in a week or two if containment efforts
are not successful.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes
only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. But for some
older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more
severe illness, including pneumonia. Over 100,000 people have
recovered, mostly in China.
While Britain last week ordered bars
and restaurants to close, the government’s repeated urging for people to
only go out for essential reasons such as food shopping or to exercise
had seemingly offered wiggle room to a public unaccustomed to
confinement.
“The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that
many lives will sadly be lost,” Johnson said. “And yet it is also true
that there is a clear way through .… And therefore, I urge you at this
moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save
lives.”
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.