Pubs, restaurants and cafes told to close in fight against coronavirus

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The Government has told pubs, restaurants, theatres, leisure centres and gyms to close from tonight to fight coronavirus.

Announcing the ramped-up measures on Friday, Boris Johnson warned the public not to "be tempted" into using establishments tonight before they shut.

It comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the Government will pay 80 per cent of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month.

He also said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June, in a £30 billion injection into the economy.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak  said the Government will pay 80 percent of wages for employees not working
PA

The Prime Minister told the daily Covid-19 press conference that the speed of the UK's eventual recovery depends entirely on "our collective ability to get on top of the virus now" which means the country has to "take the next steps on scientific advice".

“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us," he said.

“And so following agreement with all the… devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow.

“Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking at the daily conference
PA

“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale.”

Mr Johnson also warned the nation that the should not go out tonight and try to use these establishments.

"I say to people who do go against the very clear advice we are getting from our medical and scientific experts [that] you are not only putting your own life and the lives of your family at risk, you are endangering the community and making it more difficult for us to get on and protect the NHS and saves lives,"he told the room.

"We will not only save thousands of lives but come out of this thing faster."

He said the Government would be continually assessing the situation “to see if we can relax any of these measures”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking at a media briefing in Downing Street
PA

"You may be tempted to go out tonight and I say to you please don’t, you may think that you are invincible – but there is no guarantee that you will get it.

“But you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on.”

He added: “We want you as far as possible to stay at home.”

Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures

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Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the measures shutting pubs and restaurants would be in place for 14 days “and then reviewed to consider their effectiveness”.

"We will work with businesses to find new ways of trading – takeaway & delivery will continue due to emergency changes to the law & these options will be available to all businesses,” he said.

Mr Jenrick also explained that betting shops, casinos, cinemas, museums, galleries and concert halls would be among the organisations facing closure.

He added: “We want you as far as possible to stay at home.”

The Prime Minister said businesses may face difficulties with the new policy but said the Government has created a package to help.

"We will stand behind you and we hope that you will stand behind your workers," he said.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said the Government was not saying “don’t go outside” but to leave the house in a way that reduces social contact.

She recommended taking walks while keeping a distance of two metres apart or bike rides together.

She also urged parents and carer to make sure children could go outside but not "in groups"

She advised against team games, saying: “The most important part of (team games) is the social element around it, so if everybody piles up in shared cars that’s not a good thing to do.

“And if everyone tried to go to a cafe or restaurant afterwards that would also not be a good thing to do.”

She said: “Exercising fine, but cut right down on the social connections.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also asked all restaurants, cafes, pubs and cinemas in Scotland to close.

Speaking in a televised address from Bute House in Edinburgh, she said the number of cases of Covid-19 are set to rise sharply.

She said everyone must act now to slow the spread of the virus, adding that we must also reduce the number of people we meet and come into contact with.

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