Following the announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday, people are required to stay at home with immediate effect. They should only leave their home to:
- shop for food or other essentials;
- take one form of exercise a day (on your own or with members of your household);
- for a medical need;
- care for a vulnerable person (including taking part in volunteering programmes);
- travel to and from work, where this is essential and working from home is not possible.
The police have the power to fine and disperse those who break the new rules. There is now a ban of gatherings of more than two people, excluding those you live with.
Playgrounds and outdoor gyms, plus places of worship, are to close. Some parks remain open, but gatherings of more than two in parks are not allowed and will be dispersed. All social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies are to be stopped, but funerals can still take place.
The Prime Minister said these measures would be kept under constant review and looked at again in three weeks. These restrictions are frustrating and difficult for everyone but this health threat is a serious as any we have faced in this country for a hundred years: #StayHomeStaySafeSaveLives.
