The announcement was made in the Prime Minister’s daily briefing.
With the coronavirus outbreak continuing to spread across the UK, a new government order has just been announced for all pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and leisure centres across the country to shut, as part of a ramped-up effort to ensure social distancing.
The new regulations were announced at the Prime Minister’s 5pm briefing. Although we’ve previously been told to avoid such places as a precaution, the more stringent measures will take the decision out of our hands, and mark a new phase in the fight against coronavirus.
The government has asked all businesses of this type to close tonight, although affected restaurants are still able to offer takeaway. Johnson said “We are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not reopen tomorrow”, and asked citizens not to go out tonight. He added that the government will be reviewing the situation on a month-by-month basis. Johnson continued in his announcement: “We want you to stay at home”.
These measures follow recent developments including the closure of 40 Tube stations, and the shuttering of all UK schools for everyone but the children of key workers. The regulations make for another big change to our daily lives – and will be extremely tough on those businesses who hadn’t already decided to close – but sadly, this is a vital step in fighting back against the global pandemic.
The Government has confirmed the new regulation would be reviewed on a monthly basis, with the chancellor saying they will pay 80% of wages for employees who are not working, up to £2,500 a month.
More information to follow as soon as we have it.