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| Coronavirus: What are the new restrictions and why are they needed? | Coronavirus: What are the new restrictions and why are they needed? |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A series of strict new measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak have been announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. | A series of strict new measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak have been announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. |
| In a televised address, he said a "moment of national emergency" meant staying at home was necessary to protect the NHS and save lives. | In a televised address, he said a "moment of national emergency" meant staying at home was necessary to protect the NHS and save lives. |
| When are people allowed to leave their homes? | When are people allowed to leave their homes? |
| Mr Johnson said people would only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons: | Mr Johnson said people would only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons: |
| People are also being told not to meet friends or family members who do not live with them. | People are also being told not to meet friends or family members who do not live with them. |
| What other new measures are there? | What other new measures are there? |
| The prime minister said: | The prime minister said: |
| All of the new measures will last for three weeks from 23 March before being reviewed. | All of the new measures will last for three weeks from 23 March before being reviewed. |
| How will the measures be enforced? | How will the measures be enforced? |
| The police will be given the powers to make sure people follow the measures - by dispersing groups and issuing fines. | The police will be given the powers to make sure people follow the measures - by dispersing groups and issuing fines. |
| The National Police Chiefs' Council told the BBC that officers would be talking to people and explaining why they shouldn't be out. | The National Police Chiefs' Council told the BBC that officers would be talking to people and explaining why they shouldn't be out. |
| If they do not accept the advice, they would then be given a fine. However, fines won't be issued until Parliament passes the emergency legislation - which should be by the end of Thursday. | If they do not accept the advice, they would then be given a fine. However, fines won't be issued until Parliament passes the emergency legislation - which should be by the end of Thursday. |
| The Home Office has not said, at this stage, how big the fines are likely to be. | |
| Councils will also play a role. Licensing, environmental health and trading standards teams will be used to make sure that local businesses follow the rules. | Councils will also play a role. Licensing, environmental health and trading standards teams will be used to make sure that local businesses follow the rules. |
| The Local Government Association says that "anyone who sees a business breaching government closure restrictions should report it to their local council so it can investigate and take appropriate action." | The Local Government Association says that "anyone who sees a business breaching government closure restrictions should report it to their local council so it can investigate and take appropriate action." |
| What about non-food shops and laundrettes? | What about non-food shops and laundrettes? |
| Some other types of non-food retailers are also allowed to stay open, according to government guidance: | Some other types of non-food retailers are also allowed to stay open, according to government guidance: |
| Laundrettes and dry cleaners have also been given an exception and are allowed to remain open. If a customer visits one, they need to ensure they stick to the social distancing rules. | |
| What about online deliveries? | What about online deliveries? |
| Customers should still be able to receive deliveries placed online. | Customers should still be able to receive deliveries placed online. |
| Amazon said there would be some changes, with essential items (like food and healthcare products) being prioritised. That means that delivery times for other items may take longer than usual. | Amazon said there would be some changes, with essential items (like food and healthcare products) being prioritised. That means that delivery times for other items may take longer than usual. |
| In order to avoid any unnecessary contact, Amazon in-home deliveries have been paused and drivers have been advised to place packages at the customer's doorstep and step back. This means bulky items, like fridges and washing machines, will not be brought directly into homes. | In order to avoid any unnecessary contact, Amazon in-home deliveries have been paused and drivers have been advised to place packages at the customer's doorstep and step back. This means bulky items, like fridges and washing machines, will not be brought directly into homes. |
| The Royal Mail is still operating its service for parcels and letters, but with some delays and alterations. | The Royal Mail is still operating its service for parcels and letters, but with some delays and alterations. |
| John Lewis says it's still offering home deliveries for larger items such as furniture and home appliances, but will contact all customers in advance to check their status. | John Lewis says it's still offering home deliveries for larger items such as furniture and home appliances, but will contact all customers in advance to check their status. |
| Where deliveries can go ahead, customers are asked to keep 2m away from delivery staff at all times. | Where deliveries can go ahead, customers are asked to keep 2m away from delivery staff at all times. |
| However, John Lewis is no longer offering home installation or assembly. | However, John Lewis is no longer offering home installation or assembly. |
| What about parents who live in separate places? | What about parents who live in separate places? |
| Parents who live separately will also be allowed to move children under 18 between their houses, according to Cabinet minister Michael Gove. | Parents who live separately will also be allowed to move children under 18 between their houses, according to Cabinet minister Michael Gove. |
| What about takeaways? | What about takeaways? |
| People can still use takeaway shops and delivery companies, according to the government's guidance. | People can still use takeaway shops and delivery companies, according to the government's guidance. |
| However, customers must not eat or drink while waiting for their food. | However, customers must not eat or drink while waiting for their food. |
| Despite being allowed to remain open, some food retailers have still decided to close - including Greggs and McDonalds. | Despite being allowed to remain open, some food retailers have still decided to close - including Greggs and McDonalds. |
| Is exercise allowed? | Is exercise allowed? |
| People are still allowed to go outside for exercise - including walking, running or cycling. | People are still allowed to go outside for exercise - including walking, running or cycling. |
| However, this can only be done on your own, or with the people you live with. | However, this can only be done on your own, or with the people you live with. |
| Mr Gove says this should be your "standard length" of exercise and only once a day. | Mr Gove says this should be your "standard length" of exercise and only once a day. |
| Can I still take my car for an MOT? | Can I still take my car for an MOT? |
| Garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions. | Garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions. |
| MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers have already been suspended for up to three months. The government says these vehicles must be maintained and kept roadworthy. | MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers have already been suspended for up to three months. The government says these vehicles must be maintained and kept roadworthy. |
| MOTs for cars, motorcycles and light vans are under review. | MOTs for cars, motorcycles and light vans are under review. |
| Driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales have been suspended for up to three months from 21 March 2020, except for critical workers. All practical driving tests are suspended in Northern Ireland until 22 June 2020. | Driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales have been suspended for up to three months from 21 March 2020, except for critical workers. All practical driving tests are suspended in Northern Ireland until 22 June 2020. |
| Why are tougher restrictions being introduced? | Why are tougher restrictions being introduced? |
| The government had already told people that to prevent the spread of coronavirus they should only go out when necessary - for example, to buy food and medicine, or for exercise. | The government had already told people that to prevent the spread of coronavirus they should only go out when necessary - for example, to buy food and medicine, or for exercise. |
| When out, people have been told to keep at least 2m (6ft) apart from other people. This is known as social distancing. | When out, people have been told to keep at least 2m (6ft) apart from other people. This is known as social distancing. |
| However, since this advice was issued, there have been many examples of people not following it. | However, since this advice was issued, there have been many examples of people not following it. |
| At the weekend, parks and open spaces were packed with people. Snowdonia National Park, for example, said it had experienced the "busiest ever visitor day in living memory". | At the weekend, parks and open spaces were packed with people. Snowdonia National Park, for example, said it had experienced the "busiest ever visitor day in living memory". |
| And with the reduction in train services across the UK and tube trains on the London Underground, passengers on their way to work were crowded together on Monday. | And with the reduction in train services across the UK and tube trains on the London Underground, passengers on their way to work were crowded together on Monday. |
| What has the UK already done? | What has the UK already done? |
| People had already been urged to work from home where possible, and not to visit pubs, restaurants, cafes, theatres and other venues. | People had already been urged to work from home where possible, and not to visit pubs, restaurants, cafes, theatres and other venues. |
| Last Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that these places should all close, although takeaways could still offer a service. | Last Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that these places should all close, although takeaways could still offer a service. |
| Schools also shut on Friday, although some have been kept open to provide a service for the children of key workers, such as NHS staff. | Schools also shut on Friday, although some have been kept open to provide a service for the children of key workers, such as NHS staff. |
| Why do people need to stay apart? | Why do people need to stay apart? |
| Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, and then touch your face with unwashed hands. | Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, and then touch your face with unwashed hands. |
| How does the UK compare to other countries? | How does the UK compare to other countries? |
| Many countries have already imposed severe restrictions on their populations. | Many countries have already imposed severe restrictions on their populations. |