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Coronavirus: Six ways the lockdown has changed the UK Coronavirus: Six ways the lockdown has changed the UK
(3 days later)
Life in the UK has been utterly transformed since restrictions were brought in to curb the spread of coronavirus. Life in the UK has been transformed since restrictions were brought in to curb the spread of coronavirus.
On 23 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said all non-essential travel and public gatherings had to stop, with people urged to leave home only for exercise, to shop for essential items, for medical care, or when their work could not be done at home.On 23 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said all non-essential travel and public gatherings had to stop, with people urged to leave home only for exercise, to shop for essential items, for medical care, or when their work could not be done at home.
All shops selling non-essential items closed. Pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and places of worship have all also shut. These restrictions have affected all aspects of society. All shops selling non-essential items closed along with pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and places of worship. The restrictions, which have affected all aspects of society, will continue until at least early May.
So, what else has changed?
1) People are largely keeping their distance1) People are largely keeping their distance
The lockdown's aim has been to limit the spread of coronavirus across the country, to help the NHS to cope and ultimately reduce the number of deaths from the disease. The aim has of the lockdown is to limit the spread of coronavirus, to help the NHS to cope and ultimately reduce the number of deaths from the disease.
Since the lockdown started on 23 March, the number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus has gone from 6,650 to more than 80,000. The government says the number of new cases is stabilising and suggests there is evidence that the public's adherence to the measures is starting to have an impact.
But the government's advisers have said there is evidence that the public's adherence to the measures is starting to have an impact.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said: "It's not taking off in that sharp uptake, it's not gone sky high. And if anything there might even be some flattening. That is because of what we're all doing with social distancing."Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said: "It's not taking off in that sharp uptake, it's not gone sky high. And if anything there might even be some flattening. That is because of what we're all doing with social distancing."
People are also adapting to how they use the health service. The way people are using the health service is also changing.
In March, the number of people attending A&E dropped whilst the numbers of calls made to 111 - the NHS's hotline - reached record highs. In March, the number of people attending A&E dropped whilst the numbers of calls made to 111 - the NHS hotline - reached record highs.
2) Fewer journeys made2) Fewer journeys made
The public's use of transport has fallen dramatically over the past few weeks, although this trend started before the lockdown measures were announced by the prime minister, as many people started to work from home. The public's use of transport has fallen dramatically, although this trend started before the lockdown measures were announced, as many people started to work from home.
Overall transport use - across road, rail and the Tube in London - fell by 60% between early February and the beginning of April, the Department for Transport says. Overall transport use - road, rail and the Tube in London - fell by 60% between early February and the beginning of April, according to the Department for Transport.
Footfall at major railway stations across the country has also fallen significantly since the lockdown was introduced, data from Network Rail suggests. Footfall at major railway stations across the country has also fallen significantly, data from Network Rail suggests
For example, in the week before the measures were brought in, footfall at Birmingham New Street station stood at over half a million. But that had fallen by 86% at the start of April to just 71,230. It's a similar trend for London and Manchester. In the week before the lockdown measures were brought in, footfall at Birmingham New Street station stood at over half a million. But that had fallen by 86% at the start of April to 71,230. It's a similar trend for London and Manchester.
Meanwhile, trips to parks and beaches on 5 April, the second Sunday of lockdown, were 29% lower than normal according to Google analytics data. But the previous Sunday they were 52% lower than normal, suggesting trips were creeping back up with the warmer weather. Trips to parks and beaches on 11 April, the third Saturday of lockdown, were 37% lower than normal according to Google analytics data. But a week into the restrictions, they had been down by over half.
3) Better air quality 3) Crime is down - but anti-social behaviour is up
In England and Wales, crime fell by 28% in the four weeks to 12 April, compared to the same time last year. Home burglary, for example, was down by more than a third, as people spent far more time indoors.
However, incidents of anti-social behaviour rose by 59%.
The increase was likely linked to breaches of lockdown measures, with more than 3,200 fines issued in England, the National Police Chiefs' Council said.
Meanwhile, the National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls since the lockdown, the charity Refuge says.
It is now receiving hundreds of extra calls for help every week.
Isolation can make pre-existing abusive behaviour worse, but isn't the reason for it, says Refuge, which runs the helpline.
Other countries have seen increases, including a 32% rise in reported domestic violence cases in France and a 12% increase in calls to Spain's gender violence hotline, since lockdowns began.
4) Shopping sales
In the week before the restrictions started, supermarket sales were 43% higher than the same time last year, as many rushed to stock up amid fear of shortages.
But average sales fell by 7.4% over the first fortnight of lockdown according to consultancy Neilsen.
"When the country was told not to travel people stopped shopping," says Mike Watkins, Nielsen's head of retailer and business insight. "They had already bought a lot of stuff, and their larders and freezers were full."
However, supermarket sales were back up to almost 9% higher than average in the week ending 11 April - perhaps people had eaten all the extra food they had bought.
So, what have the most popular items been?
Beer, wine and spirits sales at supermarkets shot up by a third in the week before the bank holiday, as people stocked up ahead of the long weekend.
Sales of computer games and software shot up by 140%, closely followed by bulbs and seeds. Sales of stamps and of fresh dough and pastry were both up almost 80%.
However, overall sales of non-food items continued to decline, with toiletry purchases down 23%.
5) More demand for benefit
Close to one million people have applied for universal credit since the lockdown began.
Of these, 473,000 applied in the first eight days, almost as many as applied during the whole of the preceding three weeks, and almost 10 times as many as would apply in an average week.
Universal credit is a consolidated monthly payment for those of working-age, replacing a host of previous benefits including income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.
While there is still considerable pressure on the benefits system, the figures show that the number of claims is now starting to come down, having peaked in the first week of lockdown.
6) Better air quality
Air pollution levels in the UK have dropped significantly in the weeks since the country went into lockdown.Air pollution levels in the UK have dropped significantly in the weeks since the country went into lockdown.
The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level has fallen across the UK, with the daily average down almost 40% on the same period last year. The level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has fallen across the UK, with the daily average down almost 40% on the same period last year.
NO2, released from car exhausts, is a serious air pollutant.NO2, released from car exhausts, is a serious air pollutant.
Some cities have seen levels fall by more than 60%, including Brighton and Portsmouth, according to BBC analysis of Defra statistics.Some cities have seen levels fall by more than 60%, including Brighton and Portsmouth, according to BBC analysis of Defra statistics.
Daily readings from air quality monitoring stations were compared with the same period last year.Daily readings from air quality monitoring stations were compared with the same period last year.
4) More demand for benefit This piece was first published on 13 April and has been updated to include the latest statistics.
About 723,000 people have applied for universal credit since the lockdown began.
Of these, 473,000 applied in the first eight days, almost as many as applied during the whole of the preceding three weeks, and almost 10 times as many as would apply in an average week.
A further 250,000 people signed up during the second week of lockdown according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Universal credit is a consolidated monthly payment for those of working-age, which replaced a host of previous benefits including income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.
While furlough payments are available to help the self-employed and those who cannot do their jobs during the pandemic, some groups - such as those who have recently became a freelancer, moved jobs or been made redundant before the cut-off date are not eligible. This has helped prompt an increase in universal credit claims.
While there is still considerable pressure on the benefits system, the figures show that the number of claims is now starting to come down, having peaked in the first week of lockdown.
5) Increased appetite for long-lasting food
In the week before the restrictions started, supermarket sales were 44% higher than the same time last year, as many rushed to stock up amid fear of shortages.
But average sales fell by 7.5% over the first fortnight of lockdown according to consultancy Neilsen.
"When the country was told not to travel people stopped shopping," says Mike Watkins, Nielsen's head of retailer and business insight. "They had already bought a lot of stuff, and their larders and freezers were full."
While more people tried to shop online, as 93% of purchases are normally made in-store, supermarkets have struggled to cope with the extra demand, he adds.
Supermarket sales of non-food products such as clothes slumped 45%, and impulse buys have dipped.
"The enthusiasm of shoppers to buy nice food will be muted, as people want to limit travel and time spent in stores," Mr Watkins says.
6) Domestic abuse calls increase
The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls since the lockdown, the charity Refuge says.
It is now receiving hundreds of extra calls for help every week.
Isolation can make pre-existing abusive behaviour worse, but isn't the reason for it, says Refuge, which runs the helpline.
The increase echoes findings from around the world, including a 32% surge in reported domestic violence cases in France, and a 12% increase to Spain's gender violence hotline since lockdowns began in those countries.
However, overall crime reported to police in England and Wales has dropped by around 20% in recent weeks.
New police powers for fining those who breach the lockdown rules are being used - in the first two weeks, 1,084 fines were issued.
Reporting by Eleanor Lawrie, Ben Butcher, Joel Massey, Jake Horton and Nicholas Barrett.Reporting by Eleanor Lawrie, Ben Butcher, Joel Massey, Jake Horton and Nicholas Barrett.