Boris Johnson Locks Down UK To Battle Covid-19 (VIDEO)

Gatherings of more than two people will be banned in the most dramatic curbs ever seen in Britain in peacetime, as the government goes all out to stop the spread of the killer disease.

In a grim address to the nation from Downing Street, Mr. Johnson said family reunions, weddings, baptisms, and other social events must be canceled to stop the NHS collapsing under the strain – although funerals can go ahead.

People must only leave their homes for essential supplies, medical help, or to travel to work if it is ‘absolutely’ unavoidable. Going out for exercise will be allowed once a day, but parks will be patrolled to make sure there is no abuse of the rules.

Police will have powers to fine those who do not fall into line, and disperse any public gatherings.

Mr. Johnson said his message to the public was simple: ‘You must stay at home.’

The premier was finally forced into the draconian move amid fury that many people are still flouting ‘social distancing’ guidance, with parks and Tube trains in London – regarded as the engine of the UK outbreak – still busy despite repeated pleas.

‘Though huge numbers are complying – and I thank you all – the time has now come for us all to do more,’ Mr. Johnson said.

From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you must stay at home.

‘Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.’

The government’s Cobra emergency committee met at 5 pm and signed off the extraordinary new restrictions – similar to those which have already been imposed across the rest of Europe.

They will last for three weeks initially – but the government’s own experts have suggested the situation could take up to a year to resolve.

The coronavirus threat was thrown into sharp relief earlier as the number of UK fatalities went up by 54 to 335 in a single day – the second biggest rise yet. The number of positive tests went up by 967, to 6,650 – although the true figure is thought to be more than 300,000.

-Daily Mail