Last night Boris Johnson effectively put the country in lockdown, telling everyone in the UK to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Brits can now only leave the house for a few select reasons, including to exercise, get food supplies and to work if you’re a key worker.
Now the Prime Minister is set to text everyone in the UK with an important coronavirus message, telling them to stay at home.
The Government has worked out an arrangement with mobile companies to send Mr Johnson’s urgent message to all phones across the country.
Some of the messages were sent this morning – although I’m yet to receive one – and they contained a link to the Government’s latest COVID-19 advice.
It reads: “CORONAVIRUS ALERT. New rules in force now: you must stay at home. More info & exemptions at gov.uk/coronavirus. Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”
Mr Johnson told the nation last night: “You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home. You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine — and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.
“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
“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.
“We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals. Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.”
