UK: In a speech to the public yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tight lockdown measures will go into effect across the county.
Guidelines limit gatherings of more than two, an adoption of a shelter in place policy and a limiting of time outdoors to essential shopping and one period of exercise.
This is the latest in the UK’s attempt to fight the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. The Prime Minister announced last week a closing of all non-essential hospitality businesses, primarily cafes, pubs and restaurants.
New measures have mandated non-essential shops shut without plans to reopen, and gatherings in public will be prohibited. Leaders across the country, from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Archbishop of Canterbury have all echoed the PM’s urgency
Johnson said: “If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”
Hospitality has felt the pain over the past few days, with businesses cutting costs and preparing for a long wait.
As Marriott begun its employee furlough plan, UK serviced apartments and aparthotels closed alongside it. Staycity’s Birmingham property shut its doors last week, though no news has come out about the status of its employees.
Johnson added; “The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost. And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through.”
The industry is still plugging ahead however, with projects in Sheffield and Yorkshire set for construction. The prime minister said he would revisit provisions in three weeks, but set no timeline for the end of lockdown.
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