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UK PM Boris Johnson has just announced a major ramping up of coronavirus measures.
Here are the major points of his speech:
From tonight, people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only “very limited purposes” - shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”
People are warned not to meet friends or family members who they do not live with
Shopping is only permitted for essentials like food and medicine, and people are advised to do it “as little as you can”
Police have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings
All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, are ordered to close
Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close
All gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with - are banned
All social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned
Funerals are not included in the new restrictions
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed
Restrictions “under constant review” and will be checked again in three weeks. They will be relaxed “if the evidence shows we are able to”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
The "uber middle class" area of West Hampstead in London has been trending on Twitter today after photos and videos of its farmers' market were shared widely.
Many have been angered by scenes of people not observing social distancing rules at a time when shopping is supposed to be kept to a minimum.
"West Hampstead market still open. I suppose the need for organic and ethically sourced kumquat aromatherapy oil has never been higher," one user sarcastically tweeted.
"There appears to be absolutely no social distancing at West Hampstead farmers market whatsoever. This is mad," tweeted Oliver Cooper, a Conservative councillor for Hampstead.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
Police check West Hampstead Farmers Market for social distancing
Officers say they asked some people to space out but crowd control measures were being observed
POLICE have made a check on West Hampstead Farmers Market which is continuing to operate behind cordons during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown.
Shoppers are queuing today (Saturday) to get into the enclosed area and then asked to observe a two-metre spacing rule. There were concerns, however, whether these measures were being fully followed.
Fortune Green councillor Lorna Russell said: “I love the weekly West Hampstead Farmers Market but I’m concerned that they are not properly enforcing social distancing. I’ve reported this to Camden [Council] and hope they’ll spread out the stalls and allow fewer people in at a time next week. If not, I can’t see how they can stay open.”
Camden is letting its own street markets elsewhere stay open so that people can buy fresh produce.
Councillor Richard Olszewski, who also represents Fortune Green, said he had been reassured by what he had seen when he went to check the market.
“It was properly gated, looked well-managed with an identifiable responsible person controlling entry,” he said. “Many of the stallholders were wearing face masks and there was signage on keeping distance.”
Although photos shared on social media triggered an angry reaction from people who thought the market was not an essential event during lockdown — many using stereotypes about middles class shoppers in north London — police also approved the market to continue after checking the site.
“Officers have visited the West Hampstead Market today,” a tweet from the West Hampstead Safer Neighbourhood team said.
“At the time, distancing measures and crowd control measures were being observed and managed by staff. Where people were too close they were asked to space. People who did not need to be there were directed to leave.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
As they are testing mainly only hospital admissions what do we reckon all those actually have who are testing negative 🤔 they must be in a bad way to get tested?
when the monkey is high you do not stare you do not stare 🥴
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
Today in Bispham Ward I’m waking up to the smell of sausage surprise.
Explained further I’ve been slacking in the kitchen, so to speak, as the change in routine and pace has affected my shopping and culinary standards.
Anyhoo, today I am waking to the smell of slow cooking peppery sausage casserole which includes cauliflower, broccoli, parsnips,carrots and tomatoes and will be served later with a small helping of cheddar mash 😠I’ve been living off crisp sandwiches and porridge for three days so what a treat awaits.
Anyway, thought I’d share. Feel free to detail the food intake from your locked down ward.
when the monkey is high you do not stare you do not stare 🥴
We have a variation of that Lala, namely `mrs spudgun`s dumpling surprise`; pretty much everything but the sausage - and lots of lentils, beans and pulses.
The last one was a particularly good effort, enhanced by sweet potatoes.
Must admit we`ve been taking time to have a `proper` dinner every night.
A week ago our fish supplier on the docks rang us to say he was temporarily closing and was looking to off load his stock, so we bought a couple of stone for the freezer.
With the spuds we foraged from the farmer`s field we are well prepared for the long haul...
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
The lockdown seems to be having an effect in that the statistics aren't spiralling out of control with astronmoical numbers but the virus isn't showing any signs of slowing down in the UK yet.
Over 600 UK hospital deaths again today.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Temporary morgue to be set up at BAE Systems in Warton to cope with spike in deaths
Once work begins, it is expected to be completed in the space of just eight days and the morgue will be operational — should it be required — before the end of the month.
A temporary morgue for up to 1,000 people is set to be built at a BAE Systems site in Lancashire to ensure that the county can cope with any spike in deaths as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The facility will be constructed at the company’s Warton plant in Fylde in preparation for what has been described as a “potential increase” in demand for mortuary space across the region.
Once work begins, it is expected to be completed in the space of just eight days and the morgue will be operational — should it be required — before the end of the month.
It will be for use by all three top-tier local authorities in the area — Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council — and has been developed to ensure that deceased people are treated with dignity amid any increase in their numbers.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the construction and operational costs of the facility — for a period of three months — are estimated to be just under £1.8m. BAE Systems is providing the location without any charge.
County council leader Geoff Driver said that he hopes that the temporary mortuary will never have to be used.
He added: “But it’s vital that we are prepared in order to ensure the deceased are treated decently and with respect.
“We are very grateful for the support we have received from BAE Systems, who have provided this site and access to utilities free of charge to support the people of Lancashire and help us to deal with this crisis.
“The best way to reduce the numbers of deaths in Lancashire is for everyone to follow the government’s instruction to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives,” County Cllr Driver added.
It is understood that funeral directors will be provided with details of how the facility will operate.
The project has been co-ordinated by the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF), the umbrella group of local authorities, emergency services and other public and private sector organisations which respond to emergencies in the county.
Neil Shaw, chief executive of Rossendale Borough Council and lead for planning for excess deaths for the LRF, said: “We have to plan for all contingencies as part of our county’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — and, sadly, some of the plans we must make are around how we handle an anticipated increase in deaths.
“We are hoping this facility will not be needed, but it is important to be prepared and ensure that, whatever happens in the coming weeks, we have the facilities in place to ensure the deceased continue to be treated with dignity and respect.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’