People in Southport and across the UK have tonight been told that they must stay at home in order to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus and Covid-19.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed dramatic new restrictions in order to try and stop local NHS services from being overwhelmed by what he described as the ‘silent killer’.
It follows a weekend when thousands of people gathered around the seafront area in Southport, sparking serious concerns over the spread of the disease.
Mr Johnson said: “Without a huge national effort there will come a time when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.
“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.”
People will now only be allowed to leave their homes for only “very limited purposes” – shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”.
People are warned not to meet friends or family members who they do not live with.
Shopping is only permitted for essentials like food and medicine, and people are advised to do it “as little as you can”.
All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, have been ordered to close. It follows a number of stores announcing that they are closing earlier today.
Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close
All gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with – are banned
All social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned, although funerals are not included in the new restrictions.
Parks such as Botanic Gardens, Victoria Park and Hesketh Park will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
Restrictions “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks.
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