Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the UK Government have taken more drastic steps to address the escalation of Coronavirus by introducing a mandatory Lockdown.
Addressing the nation yesterday evening Mr Johnson said that without these drastic measures, many more thousands of people will become ill putting even more strain on the NHS saying many more people will die: “it is crucial that we take steps now to stop the spread of the disease.”
“Huge numbers have already been complying with previous guidance around social distancing but unfortunately this has been ignored by too many and it is essential now that we stay at home”.
From yesterday evening, we have been told to leave our homes to take one form of exercise a day, to shop only for essentials and as infrequently as possible – to collect medication, to care for a vulnerable person or to travel to work only if absolutely necessary. Mr Johnson said food deliveries should be used where possible
Powers have been introduced to enable the Police to enforce these new laws.
The Government has ordered all non-essential shops, libraries etc to close and all social gatherings have been banned; funeral services must follow social distancing guidelines and where possible be live-streamed.
Shops that are allowed to remain open:
Supermarkets, food shops, health shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, bicycle shops, home and hardware shops, laundrettes and dry cleaners, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices, and banks.
Also, market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food.
There
are more details here
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/…/230320_-_Revised…
Mr Johnson said these new, more drastic measures are not what he wanted to introduce but that they are necessary restrictions adding that there are no easy options:
“the way ahead is hard and we know that many lives will be lost. By staying at home you will help stem the spread and reduce strain on the NHS. We need to halt the spread, to protect the NHS to save lives.
“We will beat it and we’ll beat it together.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
The lockdown will last for at least the next 3 weeks. It was evident over the past weekend that people were not listening to previous ‘guidance’ to adhere to social distancing.
Useful links:
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding
Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Bank of England – Financial Support:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-Revised_guidance_note-_finalVF
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/