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UK coronavirus: Boris Johnson announces strict lockdown across country – live UK coronavirus: Boris Johnson announces strict lockdown across country – live
(32 minutes later)
PM says people can only shop for basic necessities, limits exercise to one form a day, restricts travel only to and from essential work and tells UK to stay at homePM says people can only shop for basic necessities, limits exercise to one form a day, restricts travel only to and from essential work and tells UK to stay at home
The prime minister has ordered what amounts to a UK lockdown this evening. Here’s how Boris Johnson’s position has shifted over the course of the past month or so:
The NHS has stressed that people can still leave their homes to donate blood. An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesman has said:
Here’s a little more detail from the Press Association on their Sports Direct story. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, is claiming that selling sports equipment that people could use to stay fit and healthy in their homes means their staff should be classed as key workers and their stores should stay open.
Its finance chief, Chris Wootton, wrote to all workers within 30 minutes of the prime minister’s announcement that all non-essential retailers must shut down to help stop the virus’ spread.
Emergency legislation to respond to the coronavirus outbreak has cleared the House of Commons, with MPs giving the coronavirus bill an unopposed third reading. It now passes to the House of Lords.Emergency legislation to respond to the coronavirus outbreak has cleared the House of Commons, with MPs giving the coronavirus bill an unopposed third reading. It now passes to the House of Lords.
Meanwhile, bosses at Sports Direct have told staff this evening they intend to keep their stores open because they believe they are “uniquely well placed to help keep the UK as fit and healthy as possible during this crisis”, the Press Association is reporting.Meanwhile, bosses at Sports Direct have told staff this evening they intend to keep their stores open because they believe they are “uniquely well placed to help keep the UK as fit and healthy as possible during this crisis”, the Press Association is reporting.
It cites a letter written by the Frasers Group finance chief, Chris Wootton, and sent to all staff. In it, he has reportedly told them:It cites a letter written by the Frasers Group finance chief, Chris Wootton, and sent to all staff. In it, he has reportedly told them:
Paddy Lillis, the general secretary of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw said:Paddy Lillis, the general secretary of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw said:
We reported earlier that the heads of two major trade unions had fallen in behind the prime minister in respect of the new restrictions. Len McCluskey, the head of the UK’s largest union Unite, has said:We reported earlier that the heads of two major trade unions had fallen in behind the prime minister in respect of the new restrictions. Len McCluskey, the head of the UK’s largest union Unite, has said:
McCluskey urged Johnson to “keep to your word – bring forward the measures that every worker needs in order to keep the country safe. Do not let any worker be left behind”.McCluskey urged Johnson to “keep to your word – bring forward the measures that every worker needs in order to keep the country safe. Do not let any worker be left behind”.
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have called on everyone to follow the government’s instructions. In a joint statement, they have said:The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have called on everyone to follow the government’s instructions. In a joint statement, they have said:
Asked if there were fears that major crimes were now not the “priority”, Mash has said:Asked if there were fears that major crimes were now not the “priority”, Mash has said:
On the potential for future public disorder, he said:On the potential for future public disorder, he said:
Marsh added that he believed the Army could be drafted, should police numbers fall due to illness.Marsh added that he believed the Army could be drafted, should police numbers fall due to illness.
As we’ve reported, the National Police Chiefs Council has explicitly ruled out bringing in the military.As we’ve reported, the National Police Chiefs Council has explicitly ruled out bringing in the military.
Marsh has there could be “tougher measures” if the public do not adhere to the restrictions.Marsh has there could be “tougher measures” if the public do not adhere to the restrictions.
Marsh has added that he’s already seeing “large amounts of sickness” among officers across London. He has told Sky News:Marsh has added that he’s already seeing “large amounts of sickness” among officers across London. He has told Sky News:
But he warned: “We will be dealing with it, but I’m not sure we will have the resources to be able to see it through.”But he warned: “We will be dealing with it, but I’m not sure we will have the resources to be able to see it through.”
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) is also moving quickly to squash suggestions police officers would be assisted by troops on the streets or road blocks used to enforce the lock down. A spokesperson for the NPCC has told the Guardian:
The government’s guidance on the new restrictions makes clear that those households who are isolating, as well as the most vulnerable people, should follow the guidance they’ve already been given.
The document adds that key workers or parents of children already identified as vulnerable can continue to take their children to school.
Ken Marsh, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has also asked the public for their support, telling Sky News:
And the home secretary, Priti Patel, has acknowledged the practical difficulties facing police forces across the country:
The national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, John Apter, has appealed for the public’s support in observing the new restrictions, saying:
A senior police source says the lockdown will involve neither the military on the streets, nor tactics such as road blocks. But details on enforcement are still being hammered out and will continue to be so over the next few days.
The former Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has asked the government to provide more information in practice:
The DUP’s leader and the first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, has backed the new restrictions
The UK government has now published its guidance on the new restrictions (you can read it here – pdf), including when people should and should not be leaving their homes.
Here’s my colleague Peter Walker on what the new restrictions mean for you: