Britain entered its first day of coronavirus lockdown today as people were ordered to stay at home and only leave the house for basic food shopping, exercise once a day and essential travel to and from work.
Eerie photographs showed city centres in the likes of London, Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Birmingham were almost completely empty with much of the UK workforce now setting up their office at home.
But queues again formed early this morning outside supermarkets across the country as shoppers observed the social distancing rules of standing two metres – or more than six feet – apart while waiting to get into stores.
Virtually all shops are now closing in a dramatic escalation of the lockdown, with only supermarkets, pharmacies, specialist food shops, petrol stations, corner shop newsagents, hardware stores and pet shops staying open.
Britain’s 66million people today began a new life in coronavirus lockdown after the population were threatened with fines or even arrest if they do not ‘stay at home’.
It comes as military vehicles crossed a near-empty Westminster Bridge this morning after delivering a much-needed batch of protective face masks to frontline NHS nurses and doctors battling the pandemic.
The Houses of Parliament at the end of an empty Westminster Bridge with one pedestrian on the pavement this morning
The =concourse surrounding Bristol Temple Meads train station is empty of rush-hour commuters and travelers at 8am today
The eerie empty streets of Birmingham city centre this morning as only a handful of workers venture out this morning
Empty streets in Liverpool city centre this morning after the country wakes up to tight new restrictions on movement
An empty Princes Street in Edinburgh – one of the city’s main shopping routes – this morning as the UK goes into lockdown
An empty children’s play area on Llandaff Fields in Cardiff, South Wales, this morning as the country goes into lockdown
A group of people relax together on the otherwise empty beach in front of Brighton Pier in East Sussex this morning
An empty classroom at Manor Park School and Nursery in Knutsford, Cheshire, this morning amid the UK lockdown
Soldiers from the Army’s 101 Logistic Brigade dropped off the medical masks at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, following warnings that many doctors feel like ‘lambs to the slaughter’ because of the lack of proper protection.
Nursing leaders had called upon Mr Johnson to intervene over the lack of protective clothing for NHS staff, telling him that many of those doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line are coming out of retirement.
The Army is now helping deliver protective equipment such as masks, safety glasses and suits round the clock to hospitals – but many staff have raised concerns that there will not be enough to go around all their colleagues.
The Royal College of Nursing said that not only are frontline staff deeply concerned about contracting the virus themselves, they are anxious about passing it on to the very vulnerable patients in other wards.
Military sources have revealed that 460 personnel are being mobilised over the next few days to help deliver the personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals.
A lone person walks through Queens Square in Bristol today which is empty of rush-hour pedestrians at 8.20am today
The eerie empty streets of Birmingham city centre this morning, as a few workers venture out amid the lockdown
An empty street near London Victoria train station this morning after Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown across Britain
Bristol Temple Meads train station is empty of rush-hour commuters and other passengers at 8am this morning
An empty Liverpool Pier Head this morning after Boris Johnson put the whole of the UK into a coronavirus lockdown
A lone cyclist in the Roald Dahl Plass public plaza in Cardiff this morning after the lockdown measures were brought in
Empty stairs and escalators at London’s Oxford Street Underground station this morning as the UK goes into lockdown
An empty street and bus stop at St James’s Park in London this morning after the Prime Minister ordered a lockdown
A man stands on an empty escalator during the morning ‘rush hour’ at Kings Cross Underground station in London today
There are currently 50 members of the military tasked with getting vital kit to the NHS but there are plans to increase this by nine fold over the course of this week.
The Army have sent dozens of military planners to distribution centres across the UK to help coordinate the operation and their main hub will be in Liverpool.
A Defence source said: ‘There is a massive hole in the capability to do this. The NHS haven’t got ability to coordinate it so we are sending more army personnel to support that planning.
‘We are talking about huge amounts of kit. They just don’t have the numbers, it is about getting skilled planners to help logistics.’
Over the weekend the Doctors’ Association, a grassroots organisation, warned that doctors were being made to feel like ‘lambs to the slaughter’ and ‘cannon fodder’.
Customers queue to shop at Costco in Thurrock, Essex, today – on the day after the Prime Minister put the UK in lockdown
A couple wearing protective face masks wait with their trolley as people queue outside Costco supermarket in Watford today
Customers queue to shop at Costco in Thurrock, Essex, today as the UK faces lockdown measures to help protect the NHS
People observe social distancing while queuing at a Sainsbury’s supermarket at Colton, on the outskirts of Leeds, early today
Crowds of people walk into a Tesco supermarket in the Gloucestershire market town of Cirencester this morning
People queue today at a Sainsbury’s supermarket at Colton, on the outskirts of Leeds, after the UK was put into lockdown
People observe social distancing while queuing at a Sainsbury’s supermarket at Colton, on the outskirts of Leeds, today
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday: ‘I am determined to ensure that the right kit gets to the right hospital, the right ambulance service, the right doctors’ surgery, right across the country.
‘There have been challenges and I can see that. We’re on it and trying to solve all the problems.’
Mr Johnson has placed the UK on lockdown to tackle the coronavirus, threatening police fines for anyone who ignores new measures including a ban on public gatherings of more than two people.
The Prime Minister detailed a short list of reasons why individuals can leave their homes as he ordered the immediate closure of all shops selling non-essentials items yesterday evening.
He ordered people to only leave the house to shop for basic necessities ‘as infrequently as possible’ and to perform one form of exercise a day.
People queue outside a Sainsbury’s store in South West London this morning as the spread of the coronavirus continues
People stand two metres apart as they wait for a Sainsbury’s supermarket to open in South West London this morning
People queue with gaps of at least two metres between them outside a Sainsbury’s supermarket in South West London today
People stand outside a Sainsbury’s supermarket in South West London today as the spread of coronavirus continues
Or they could seek medical help, provide care to a vulnerable person or travel to work if ‘absolutely necessary’, he said in a televised address from within Downing Street.
‘That’s all – these are the only reasons you should leave your home,’ he said. ‘You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
‘If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.’
To ensure people follow the rules, Mr Johnson ordered the immediate closure of non-essential stores including those selling electronics and clothing.
All public gatherings of more than two people – other than those they live with – will be barred, the PM said. Other premises being shuttered are libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship.
Military vehicles cross Westminster Bridge after soldiers delivered medical masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London today
Soldiers from the British Army’s 101 Logistic Brigade deliver a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ Hospital today
Soldier arrive in a military lorry to deliver the consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London this morning
The delivery by the 101 Logistic Brigade today came after Boris Johnson announced strict lockdown measures for Britain
Members of the 101 Logistic Brigade deliver a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London today
The Army is helping deliver protective equipment such as masks, safety glasses and suits round the clock to hospitals today
Many staff at NHS hospitals today have raised concerns that there will not be enough to go around all their colleagues
And, while parks will remain open for exercise, all social events including weddings and baptisms will be stopped. Funerals, however, can continue.
Hotels and campsites will now join pubs, cafes and restaurants in being closed to slow the disease’s spread. Government officials said fines will start at £30, but warned they would escalate.
Mr Johnson said the measures will be ‘under constant review’ and will be considered for relaxation in three weeks’ time if the evidence allows.
He said that ‘no prime minister wants to enact measures like this’ as he reminded the public of the support programme to aid ailing businesses and struggling individuals.
But he said the drastic new measures allowing people to only leave home for the ‘very limited purposes’ were necessary to slow the spread of the disease.
The Army have sent dozens of military planners to distribution centres across the UK to help coordinate the operation
Members of the 101 Logistic Brigade deliver a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London this morning
A military lorry is seen as members of the 101 Logistic Brigade deliver the masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London today
There are currently 50 members of the military tasked with getting vital kit to the NHS, including those at St Thomas’ today
Members of the 101 Logistic Brigade arrive in a military lorry to deliver the batch of medical masks to St Thomas’ today
Soldiers of the British Army’s 101 Logistic Brigade deliver the masks to St Thomas’ Hospital in London this morning
Boris Johnson plunged the UK into coronavirus lockdown last night – ordering the closure of all shops selling non-essential goods as well as playgrounds and churches
A grim-faced Mr Johnson made his dramatic announcement from behind a desk in Downing Street last night
‘To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die, not just from coronavirus but from other illnesses as well,’ he added.
Mr Johnson had been facing widespread calls to impose tough restrictions on the nation amid concerns people are ignoring social distancing advice.
His call came after the UK death toll hit 335 and British citizens travelling abroad were told to return home ‘while you still can’.
Online supermarkets immediately appeared to buckle under the strain after the announcement with crashes occurring on the Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda websites.
Forty-six more people died in England alongside four in Scotland and four in Wales, taking the number who have died in British hospitals after testing positive to 335. Those who have died in England range in age from 18 to 105.
In an earlier escalation of advice, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told citizens travelling overseas to return to the UK using commercial routes that are still running.
Meanwhile, MPs were debating emergency legislation that could see airports shut and police having the powers to force people with virus symptoms to isolate.
Over the weekend, crowds of people were witnessed visiting open spaces across many parts of the UK, at times flouting official social distancing advice.
There were growing fears that Britain is on a similar trajectory to Italy – scene of the world’s worst outbreak – where the death toll passed 5,000 over the weekend.
The Italian government was one of a number of European countries to announce new or extended restrictions – with Germany banning public gatherings of more than two people not from the same household.
Coronavirus lockdown: Who can still go out and why?
By Joe Middleton and Jack Maidment
Boris Johnson last night imposed an unprecedented virus lockdown and told everyone in the UK they ‘must stay at home’ to slow the spread of coronavirus as he set out just four instances when people can go outside.
Describing the crisis as a national emergency, he ordered families to stay in their homes except in special circumstances.
All ‘non-essential’ shops will be closed and public gatherings of more than two people banned.
Mr Johnson said the measures will be ‘under constant review’ and will be considered for relaxation in three weeks’ time if the evidence allows.
He said that ‘no prime minister wants to enact measures like this’ but the drastic new measures allowing people to only leave home for the ‘very limited purposes’ were necessary to slow the spread of the disease.
‘To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die, not just from coronavirus but from other illnesses as well,’ he added.
What are the four reasons that Britons can leave their homes?
- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible;
- one form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – 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 cannot be done from home.
Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are six feet (two metres) apart from anyone outside of your household.
What stores will close? And what are the exceptions that will stay open?
- Restaurants – exceptions are food delivery and takeaway that can remain open
- Cafes, including workplace canteens – exceptions are food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. Cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless.
- Bars and nightclubs, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs
- Hair, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours
- All retail with notable exceptions – Supermarkets and other food shops, health shops, pharmacies including nondispensing pharmacies, petrol stations, bicycle shops, home and hardware shops, laundrettes and dry cleaners, bicycle shops, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices, and banks.
- Outdoor and indoor markets – exceptions are market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food.
- Hotels, hostels, BnBs, campsites and boarding houses – exceptions are where people live in these as interim abodes whilst their primary residence is unavailable they may continue to do so. Key workers can continue to stay in hotels or similar where required.
- Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses – exceptions are where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so.
- Community centres, youth centres and similar – Facilities may remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services. We will do everything to support vulnerable people who are without a network of friends and families.
- Places of worship for services – exceptions are for funerals following the social distancing guidance; places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer. Live streaming of a service without audience would be permissible.
- Cinemas, theatres and concert halls – Live streaming of a performance by a small group could be permissible with social distancing observed.
- Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops
- Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
- Arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar
- Enclosed spaces in parks, including playgrounds, sports courts and pitches, and outdoor gyms or similar
Boris Johnson has put the UK into a state of lockdown as the government stepped up its fight against coronavirus
Who are the key workers?
Health and social care –
- Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers; producers and distributers of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.
Education and childcare –
- Nursery and teaching staff, social workers and specialist education professionals who must remain active to keep schools running.
Key public services –
- Those running of the justice system, religious staff, charity workers, undertakers, journalists and public service broadcasters.
Local/national government –
- ‘Only those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response or delivering essential public services such as the payment of benefits’.
Food and other vital goods –
- Those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of key goods like hygienic and veterinary medicines.
National security –
- Police and support staff, MoD workers, the armed forces, fire and rescue services, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff and other national security roles.
Transport –
- Workers on air, water, road, and rail passenger modes, as well as air, water, road, and rail freight transport modes.
Utilities, communication and financial services –
- Staff needed for financial services like banks and stock markets; workers in the oil, gas, electricity and water sectors, the postal service, sewerage and telecoms.
How long will the new restrictions last?
The government’s Cobra emergency committee met at 5pm yesterday and signed off the extraordinary new restrictions – similar to those which have already been imposed across the rest of Europe.
They will last for three weeks initially – but the government’s own experts have suggested the situation could take up to a year to resolve.
What enforcement action will there be?
In his address to the nation Mr Johnson said if people do not follow the new rules officers ‘will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings’.
Police will be able to fine people £30 if they ignore the rules and these on-the-spot fines will be ‘ramped up’ if there is widespread flouting, the government has said.
Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will monitor businesses compliance with the regulations, with police support if necessary.
Businesses and premises that breach them will be subject to prohibition notices, and potentially unlimited fines.
What social events can go ahead?
All social events are also being stopped including weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies but funerals will still be allowed to go ahead, attended by immediate family only.
The government is banning public gatherings of more than two people, what are the exceptions?
- where the gathering is of a group of people who live together – this means that a parent can, for example, take their children to the shops if there is no option to leave them at home.
- where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace.
Are you still allowed to get a takeaway?
Government guidance says people can still access their local takeaway, this includes delivery drivers. But people are not allowed to consume any food or drinks on the premises.
Venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages in this list if their license does not already permit.