Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered all cafes, pubs, restaurants, gyms and other similar venues across the UK to close from Friday evening for the foreseeable future. The Prime Minister said it was vital to take more urgent steps to reduce the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, Covid-19.
Boris Johnson said, “With the agreement of the three devolved governments, we are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight, as soon as they reasonably can, and not open tomorrow”. They would be allowed to sell takeaway food and drink, he said.
The same instruction has been given to nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres. The new social distancing measures will be reviewed every month to see if any could be relaxed, he said.
Mr Johnson added: “It is quite clear now that when you look at the gradient of this disease that we face a clear threat… and that thousands of lives could be needlessly lost. We need now to stop the velocity of circulation of this disease.”
He urged people not to decide to go out one final time on Friday: “Please don’t. You may think you are invincible, but there is no guarantee you will get mild symptoms, and you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on to others.”
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