Don’t mingle, avoid office, pubs and travel to stop virus-PM
Boris Johnson issued draconian new guidance to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the UK yesterday, warning the British public to reduce interaction and recommending self-isolation.
The Government still hopes to delay the peak impact of the pandemic until the summer when the NHS is better able to cope. Mr. Johnson said Britain had reached the infection point.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “You should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues”.
“ It looks as though we are now approaching the fast growing part of the upward curve” Boris Johnson.
Theatres in London’s West End and around the UK have shut after PM Boris Johnson advised people to avoid such venues as coronavirus spreads.
The Society of London Theatre which represents the West End said theatres would close from Monday night until further notice.
Sister organisation UK Theatre said its 165 venues around the country would take the same step.
Mr. Johnson said that from Tuesday mass gatherings were something `” we are now moving emphatically away from and avoid non-essential travel and contact with others”.
Coronavirus spreading more rapidly in London..
As of 16 March, London had 480 confirmed coronavirus cases. A total of 55 people have died in the UK due to Covid-19 -14 of those from London.
The Key new government measures are:
Everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places such as pubs, clubs, and theatres.
Everyone should work from home if they can.
All unnecessary visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease.
People should only use the NHS where we really need to and can reduce the burden on workers by getting advice on the NHS website where possible.
By next weekend, those with the most serious health conditions must be largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks
The UK is now three weeks behind Italy the worst-hit country in Europe.
If one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.
Those people should if possible avoid leaving the house even to buy food or essentials but they may leave the house for exercise and in that case at a safe distance from others.
Schools will not be closed for the moment.
Chief Medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty said the group of people who should take “particular care to minimise their social contact were :
People over the age of 70.
Other adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccine ( such as those with chronic diseases.
Pregnant women.
Mr. Johnson said drastic action was needed as the UK approaches the fast growing part of the upward curve in the number of cases. He told Londoners to pay special attention to the advice as the virus is spreading more rapidly in the capital than elsewhere.
The FTSE 100 is down by 4 percent.
