We will do whatever it takes to get our country through this:
- The Government’s overriding aim is to save lives and minimise suffering – we will be led by the best scientific advice.
- Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel. This advice is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions.
- Combating this virus will require a huge national effort. We must do all we can to save lives, protect the NHS and keep the most vulnerable people in our society safe.
Moving forward with our plan:
- Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel.
- We need people to start working from home where they possibly can, and you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues, such as gathering with families and friends outside of your own home.
- This advice is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions.
- If you, or anyone in your household, has either a high temperature or a new and continuous cough, then you should stay at home for fourteen days.
- That means that if possible you should not go out even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities. And if that is not possible, then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies.
- The Government is no longer be supporting mass gatherings with emergency workers as it normally would.
We are at the forefront of the effort to back business, to back our economy and to make sure that we get through this.
Further action we are taking:
- The Chancellor announced an unprecedented package of Government-backed loans and support for business.
- For those in difficulty due to coronavirus, we are introducing a three month mortgage holiday, so that people will not have to pay a penny towards their mortgage while they get back on their feet.
- The Communities Secretary announced a temporary relaxation of planning rules so that pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways to serve people having to stay at home.
- The Prime Minister has spoken to leading manufacturing businesses to call on them to help the UK step up production of vital medical equipment, ensuring our NHS has it what needs to provide care to patients.
- The Prime Minister released a joint statement with the other leaders of G7 nations, committing to coordinating the global health response to coronavirus, and continuing to protect jobs, restore confidence and encourage science and research cooperation.
- The Local Government Secretary reaffirmed our commitment to giving councils the support they need to contribute to the national effort, including giving them more flexibility to focus their resources on the response to coronavirus.
- We are keeping people up to date with the latest advice and guidance with the launch of the next phase of our public information campaign, which will reinforce the importance of washing your hands more often and for 20 seconds, and ask people to self-isolate for 7 days If they develop a high temperature or a new continuous cough.
