U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a strict “stay-at-home” policy in a Monday press conference which will affect the entire nation.
“From this evening, I must give the British people a very simple instruction,” Johnson said. “You must stay at home.”
Johnson said residents should leave their homes only for shopping, one type of physical exercise per day, medical necessities and “traveling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.”
Johnson also announced the closing of all shops selling non-essential items, such as clothing and electronics. Libraries, playgrounds and places of worship will also be closed.
Public gatherings of more than two people will be stopped, as will social events including weddings and baptisms, but not funerals.
“If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the power to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings,” Johnson said.
Newsweek reached out to the National Health Service in the U.K. for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Johnson said the stay-at-home order would be under “constant review,” but that the nationwide restrictions would be in place for at least three weeks.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
