COVID-19: Boris Johnson announces new strict measures on UK life

Please Note: All information correct at time of writing on 23 March 2020. We do our very best to make sure our information is as up to date as possible, but we’d encourage you to check out our latest articles and to check the government website for updates as they happen.

At 8:30 this evening, Monday 23 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the public in a recorded broadcast, announcing strict new curbs to life in the UK in the government’s continued fight against the spread of coronavirus.

From this evening, there are now a number of newer, stricter measures everyone is expected to follow:

  • People must stay at home and will only be permitted to leave home for the following reasons:

– Shopping for basic necessities as infrequently as possible

– One form of exercise a day, alone or with members of your household

– Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

– Travelling to and from work but “only where this is absolutely necessary and can’t be done from home”

  • The police have powers to enforce this through fines or dispersing gatherings
  • All shops selling non-essential goods including clothing, electronic stores and other premises including libraries, public playgrounds and places of worship must close
  • All gatherings of more than 2 people
  • in public, excluding people living in your household, will be banned
  • All social events including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies (but excluding funerals) are banned
  • Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
  • These restrictions will be reviewed in 3 weeks time to see whether they can be relaxed

Travel to and from work is an acceptable reason to leave home but it was strongly reiterated that this should only be where it is absolutely necessary and can’t be done from home.

Keeping you in the know on all the essential COVID-19 updates

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