Coronavirus: “You Must Stay At Home” – Boris Johnson Announces Lockdown In UK [Video]

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has placed United Kingdom under three weeks lockdown on Monday night, in a bid to address the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Mr Johnson ordered the immediate closure of all non-essential shops and threatening Britons with fines or even arrest if they do not ‘stay at home’.

Gatherings of more than two people will be banned in the most dramatic curbs on freedom ever seen in Britain in time of peace or war, as the government goes all out to stop the spread of the killer disease.

While announcing the lockdown on Monday night, Mr Johnson said family reunions, weddings, baptisms and other social events must be cancelled to stop the NHS collapsing under the strain . Funerals can go ahead attended by just a handful of closest relatives.

Outlining the draconian measures, which go beyond even wartime restrictions, the PM told anxious viewers:

“You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.

“You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.

“You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine — and you should do this as little as you can and use food delivery services where you can.

“If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”

People must only leave their homes for essential supplies, medical help, or to travel to work if it is ‘absolutely’ unavoidable. Going out for exercise will be allowed once a day, but parks will be patrolled to make sure there is no abuse of the rules.

Police will have powers to fine those who do not fall into line, and disperse any public gatherings.

Mr Johnson said his message to the public was simple: ‘You must stay at home.’

Watch the video below:

BREAKING: The UK is entering lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says: "you must stay at home" – unless you have a very specific reason to leave.

"If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them." pic.twitter.com/yqSOvt3qdS

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 23, 2020