Government announces further measures on social distancing
|
To delay the spread of coronavirus, the government has
instructed some businesses and venues including all pubs,
bars and restaurants to close from tonight.
This follows expert advice that more needs to be done in
order tackle the spread of infection - following the
call to action to isolate or socially distance. The...Request free trial
To delay the spread of coronavirus, the government has instructed some businesses and venues including all pubs, bars and restaurants to close from tonight. This follows expert advice that more needs to be done in order tackle the spread of infection - following the call to action to isolate or socially distance. The closures will help limit the spread of coronavirus by helping to stop non-essential contact and unnecessary travel, in line with the public guidance announced earlier this week. The measures will be reviewed on a monthly basis, and are being implemented across the whole of the UK in agreement with the devolved administrations. If needed, the government will enforce these measures by law. This will not affect supermarkets or retailers that supply fuel, medicines and other vital goods, which will continue to be open as normal for the public. The following businesses and venues have been asked to close:
This measure will not impact the relaxation of planning rules announced earlier this week which will allow pubs and restaurants to operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak, which will help to support people who are staying at home through this period. The government has also urged the public to take further steps to protect themselves and the wider population from the coronavirus, including:
The closures announced today will not impact the running of public transport, and government continues to work closely with transport operators to ensure that people who need to get to work can continue to do so. Yesterday, the government and rail industry agreed a plan that will see a gradual reduction in train services across the country to reflect lower passenger demand as people change their travel patterns to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, while keeping vital rail services running. The decision to introduce further measures has been taken based on the latest advice from the world-leading health and scientific experts advising the government. When infection rates come down, the government will remove measures as soon as it is safe to do so, guided by scientific advice. The government is working urgently to further improve testing and monitoring, which will also help in relaxing the measures as soon as possible. Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
|