British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared a three-week lockdown of the UK to tackle and limit the spread of the growing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. [1]
The order to stay at home is effective from this evening. There are however some exceptions for when people are allowed to leave their home.
In an address to the nation from Downing Street, the Prime Minister announced a “national emergency” and stated that it was essential for people to listen to the advice in order to save lives.
Boris Johnson said the only time when people would be allowed to leave their home was for:
- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- one form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
- and travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
In addition, the Prime Minister said that any gatherings of more than two people will be banned, except for those people that you live with.
In the UK, the number of deaths due to the coronavirus continues to rise. It has now been two weeks since the first confirmed death from the virus. It is said that since then the number who have died from the virus has been rising at a faster rate than in Italy were more than 6000 people have died. [2]
The Prime Minister added: “If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.”
He further added that people should not be meeting friends, family members who you do not live with and that you should only be shopping for essential goods such as food and medicine.
Moreover, parks will still be open for the sole purpose of exercise. However any gatherings of more than two people will be dispersed.
The Prime Minister also said that any shops selling non-essential items will be closed. In addition, libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship will also be closed.
People will be allowed to attend funerals, however weddings, baptisms and any other ceremonies will be stopped, the Prime Minister added.
Boris Johnson said:
“I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.”
“And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.”
“And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.”
The Prime Minister further added:
“But at present there are just no easy options. 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 coronavirus is affecting 195 countries and territories around the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).
There are around 374,722 registered coronavirus cases worldwide, with around 16,350 deaths. [3] Indeed to Allāh do we belong, and to Him do we return.
It is also important to note that around 101,523 people have recovered so far from the deadly virus alhamdulillah.
We ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to keep us all safe, healthy and to enable us to take this opportunity to turn back to Him seeking forgiveness, and to cure our sick and protect our elderly. May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) also accept those that have returned to him after having the coronavirus as shuhada. Āmīn.
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-23/boris-johnson-downing-street-coronavirus-update/
[2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/23/coronavirus-deaths-italy-rising-faster-uk/
