Boris Johnson announces a lockdown for three weeks with immediate effect

The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has addressed the nation on Monday evening, he said he was “reluctant to do this” but he is effectively announcing a lockdown for three weeks.

Johnson gave a dramatic and historic address to the nation, meeting friends will now be banned, and only one form of exercise will be allowed per day.

Johnson told the nation, “The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone.

Powers not seen in the UK since wartime, the Prime Minister ordered, “From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction , you must stay at home.

“Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.”

In his war time statement, the Prime Minister said, “All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.

“If too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it, meaning more people are likely to die, not just from coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.

“So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.

“Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS’s ability to cope, and save more lives.

“And that’s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic. Though huge numbers are complying and I thank you all, the time has now come for us all to do more.

“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction,  you must stay at home.

“Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households. That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

“Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle alone or with members of your household; any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, and travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

“These are the only reasons you should leave your home.

“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.

“To ensure compliance with the government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:

“Close all shops selling non-essential goods,​ including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.

“We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public, excluding people you live with; and we’ll stop all social events​, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.

“Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.

A senior NHS doctor has expressed his fears that staff could be passing on the coronavirus to patients as they are not being provided with tests.

The doctor wrote about his experiences and said there is “little we can do” and victims are dying in front of his eyes.

It has been revealed that there is a huge shortage of protective equipment for medical staff and they are not tested unless they show symptoms.

He warned that not everyone shows symptoms immediately but can still be carriers and fears “as a doctor could be a silent killer” passing on coronavirus to patients.