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UK lockdown: New coronavirus restrictions you must know

On March 23, 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent the UK into lockdown in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. While Britain is in lockdown, all non-essential businesses must remain closed and residents are required to stay in their homes, except for essential purposes. Since Monday night’s historic broadcast, people have been faced with many uncertainties regarding what they can and cannot do during this time.

In this Pacific Prime UK article, we’ll discuss the UK lockdown and new coronavirus restrictions you must know.

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What are the new UK lockdown restrictions?

The UK lockdown follows a similar protocol as we have seen in Italy, forcing residents to stay in their homes aside from limited circumstances. In his TV address, Johnson announced that people will be permitted to go outside only for the following reasons:

  • Essential shopping, “as infrequently as possible”
  • Exercise once a day, at two metres apart from those who are not in their household
  • Travelling to and from work, if work from home is not possible
  • For medical needs or to care for vulnerable people

All other outdoor activities, such as shopping beyond necessities and gathering in crowds, are now prohibited. UK residents should not visit family members who live elsewhere or go to a friend’s place. If you must leave the home, it is important to practice social distancing of at least two metres.

Non-essential businesses are ordered to close during this time. This includes restaurants and cafes, though they are allowed to provide takeaways and food delivery.

How will the coronavirus lockdown be enforced?

The police now have the power to enforce the lockdown rules and fine those who do not abide by them, though the amount is unspecified. Authorities will force all shops selling non-essential goods to close, including beauty, hair, and nail salons, as well as all markets except for food markets. Other places closed during this time include:

  • Libraries
  • Outdoor gyms and playgrounds
  • Churches and other places of worship
  • Hotels, B&Bs, caravan parks, and campsites

Furthermore, public gatherings of two people or more will be banned, unless they live in the same household. Social events such as weddings are prohibited, although funerals are still permitted for the time being.

How long will the lockdown last?

The lockdown will last for a minimum of three weeks. Johnson said the government will announce relaxed rules “if the evidence shows we are able to” after the three week period.

What will it do?

The goal of the lockdown is to drastically limit social and physical interaction in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. This will make the increase in cases more manageable for the NHS and hopefully reduce mass deaths. “Without a huge national effort to half the growth of the virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope,” said Johnson.

Will staying inside actually work?

Whether or not the lockdown will actually do what it is intended to has yet to be seen. With a two-week delay between getting infected and becoming critically ill, it will take some time to notice any benefits. The fact that Italy experienced a slight reduction in coronavirus deaths two weeks after a national lockdown was introduced offers some hope. In the UK, a rapid increase in infections and deaths is expected at first, before the curve hopefully flattens.

What’s happened up to this point?

In brief, there has been a gradual incline in restrictions, starting with ministers advising people to work from home if they can and avoid crowded places, to closing schools and nurseries, followed by the forced closure of restaurants, pubs, gyms, clubs, and other businesses. However, physical distancing has been presented as advice up to this point, with Johnson noting the people’s desire to spend time outdoors.

Tougher measures on people’s movement have been called for by opposition parties as well as some Conversative MPs. However, it seems that the widely-shared photos of crowds gathering in parks and other areas over the weekend was the final straw.

What are other countries doing about it?

Many countries in Europe went into lockdown around a week or so earlier than the UK. Italy has seen a ban on practically any movement – with now just a handful of essential businesses and shops allowed to operate and police monitoring people’s movements. France and Spain have adopted a similar approach.

The country that has taken the most extreme approach is undoubtedly China. Authorities quarantined 11 million people in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first case of the COVID-19 coronavirus appeared. The quarantine zone was later extended to encompass 50 million people. People had to stay in apartment blocks, and practically all outside movement and visitors were banned. Additional measures included mandatory temperature tests and placing those suspected to be infected in isolation.

Be prepared with Pacific Prime

If you don’t have coronavirus insurance cover or UK medical insurance yet, then it’s a good idea to look at your options and secure some form of health insurance. Having individual insurance for expats or senior citizen health insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that your medical needs will be covered, should you need them.

With the cost of health insurance varying between insurers, countries, and regions, looking for the right insurance plan can be an overwhelming experience. That’s where Pacific Prime UK comes in. Simply contact us to speak to our insurance experts or receive a free, no-obligation plan comparison and quote today.

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Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime UK
Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
Jantra Jacobs