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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
There is concern this evening that No 10 has not offered sufficient clarity on who is and who is not covered by the new restrictions.
Plaid Cymru have written to the prime minister asking to whom was he referring, exactly, when he said that people whose jobs cannot be done from home will still be able to travel to work.
Was he referring to key workers only or anyone whose boss does not believe it’s feasible to work from home?
Work on building sites can continue as long as workers observe physical distancing, the housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
Some readers have asked how the restrictions apply to separated parents’ shared custody arrangements. The simple answer is that it’s not covered by the published guidance. But we’ve asked for clarification and will pass on any that’s forthcoming.
The Labour MP, Jess Phillips, has had this to say on the matter:
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 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: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.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.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.”