The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has warned he may ban all Brits from leaving their homes within the next 24 hours unless they follow the social distancing rule and stay six feet apart.
In his address yesterday, Mr Johnson said: “I don’t think you need to use your imagination very much to see where we might have to go, and we will think about this very actively in the next 24 hours.
“We need to think about the kind of measures we’ve seen elsewhere – other countries that have been forced to bring in restrictions on people’s movements altogether, now as I say I don’t want to do that.”
There was anger at scenes over the weekend of crowds flocking to parks, markets, beaches and beauty spots.
It came as an 18-year-old was thought to have become the youngest victim of the virus in Britain as the number of deaths in the UK rose to 281.
The teen boy is believed to have been from Coventry.
There are growing fears that Britain is on a similar trajectory to Italy – scene of the world’s worst outbreak – where the death toll passed 5,000 over the weekend.
The Italian government was one of a number of European countries to announce new or extended restrictions – with Germany banning public gatherings of more than two people not from the same household.
Mr Johnson warned the NHS could be “overwhelmed” in the same way as the Italian healthcare system has been, if the spread of the virus in the UK is not curbed.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Johnson said: “Many people do not have access, let’s face it, to private green spaces where they can do that and that’s why parks, open spaces are so absolutely crucial for our country and for our society.
“But when we do that we have to do that responsibly…my message is you’ve got to do this in line with the advice, you’ve got to follow the social distancing rule – keep two metres apart.
“Otherwise if you don’t do it responsibly…as you suggest there is going to be no doubt that we will have to bring forward further measures and we are certainly keeping that under constant review.
“Going outside now and taking exercise – you’ve got to take account of the medical advice and observe social distancing.
“If people can’t do that, won’t do that, don’t do that then yes of course we’re going to have to bring in tougher measures.”
His warning came after Brits flocked to parks and beaches yesterday despite the warning to stay at home to beat deadly coronavirus.
Richmond Park was so full of cyclists, cars and walkers that police were called, as people failed to heed the urgent pleas to keep their distance.
In North London, Columbia Road Flower Market was packed with shoppers who were packed together, while dozens of people were seen standing in close proximity as they queued to buy chips in Barry Island, South Wales.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said people who were congregating were “dangerous” and making outside environments “unavailable” to others.
Yesterday it was announced the National Trust would close all of its parks and gardens, with many other large parks around the country following suit – but many have remained open.
On Friday night, the PM ordered pubs and restaurants to close down as part of efforts to encourage to stay at home.
Source: The Sun news Uk.