Natasha Shadeanna
Image credit: barnyz
Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, imposed a strict three-week lockdown on Monday in efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus after the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the pandemic was “accelerating”. People are now banned from leaving their homes following Friday’s announcement that all pubs, restaurants and gyms should shut down.
This lockdown also includes the shutting down of “non-essential” shops and services and gatherings of more than two people. Police are given the power to enforce this lockdown by breaking up public gatherings and issuing fines to those who violate these restrictions. With over 10,000 deaths in Europe alone, including 335 in Britain, these tougher measures were in place after an initial relaxed approach saw crowds of people enjoying spring sunshine last weekend.
Image credit: barnyz
Johnson added that “people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes,” listing shopping for basic necessities, doing one form of exercise a day, providing medical services or going to work if absolutely necessary as the four reasons. These tougher measures are in hopes to limit the scale of physical and social interaction and in turn contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Britain and Greece are the latest European nations to follow a nationwide lockdown after Italy, Spain and France.
