Amidst this unprecedented period, all everybody wants is clarity, and at SITU we want to provide exactly that. So, here’s a short update on what we know so far about the impact of coronavirus on everyday life in the UK.
This information is up to date as of Monday 30th March.
Do We Need To Panic?
On Thursday, March 19th Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that the UK could ‘turn the tide in the next 12 weeks’, but only if we all take the necessary steps. As of Monday 23rd March, the necessary steps are to respect the closest thing to a nationwide ‘lockdown’.
The full guidance on staying at home now states that individuals should only go outside to;
- Shopping for basic necessities.
- For one form of exercise a day.
- For any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travel to-and-from work.
Moreover, all non-essential shops and community places have been closed and the police have been given the powers to intervene where necessary.
Click here for further clarification on the new phase of coronavirus measures.
From the start, the UK government adopted a ‘staged approach’ in response to the coronavirus and the PM hopes reassurance comes from the fact that he and his advisors are holding daily evening press conferences.
So, what do we know of the national situation so far?
Let’s Keep Socially Distant
“Steps that are unprecedented since World War two.” – Boris Johnson
As well as the measures of the national ‘lockdown’, the advice currently in the UK is that we must all adopt ‘social distancing’ measures, which means we should;
- Avoid non-essential public transport.
- Work from home where possible.
- Avoid large gatherings and public social venues i.e. cinemas, theatres.
- Avoid contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
- Limit face-to-face interaction with those who are pregnant, over 70 or have an underlying health condition.
It’s fair to say that this advice, pre-lockdown, has not been followed as precisely as the government hoped. It is for that reason that stricter measures have been implemented. However, if from now we follow the personal advice given by NHS and Public Health England, we can all individually help to suppress the spread of the coronavirus.
“Non-Essential Travel”
The word from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is that they advise against non-essential global travel. This comes as a result of the pandemic causing mass border closures and travel restrictions worldwide, with many more likely to follow.
Click here to find out more about the border and travel regulations of nations across the globe.
If you’re already abroad or find your travel from the UK is essential, the FCO advises you to;
- Contact transport providers about the nature of your trip.
- Check travel insurance.
- Prepare for financial disruption.
- Arrange extra support for yourself, as well as your family and friends whether that be medical, financial etc.
- Prepare to follow local authority advise and restrictions.
- Check for national and global updates regularly.
Domestic travel across the UK has also been impacted with bus, train and tube services all being reduced to combat the virus spread.
Home Life
Perhaps the biggest impact felt across the UK is the disruption to our everyday schedules. Working from home where possible has been advised, so thousands of companies across the UK have now either closed their doors or adopted a remote working strategy. Non-essential food shops, bars, cafes, gyms, leisure centres, pubs, restaurants, theatres and night clubs have also all been forced to shut in an attempt to limit social gatherings.
Moreover, parents were told that from Friday, March 20th schools will be asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children – who are vulnerable, whose parents are critical to the COVID-19 response, and those who cannot be safely cared for at home. For more information on coronavirus and education, go to the Government’s Guidance website.
Shops
Even the essential shops that still remain have been impacted. The likes of Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s have all introduced multiple purchase limits and opening hours dedicated to the elderly and NHS workers, to ensure everyone has food to support themselves and their families. The government and these supermarkets, however, insist that the UK’s supply chain has enough to support everyone.
Ultimately, who knows what will happen next as this unprecedented period continues. All we can really say for sure is that the more we stick together and also follow government advice, the better chance this crisis will be resolved sooner.
To keep updated with any of the latest developments in the UK as well as any advice regarding the coronavirus, visit www.gov.uk.
We appreciate there is still a requirement for essential travel and rather than risk the health of those who need to be away from home we would like to offer access to our extensive network of serviced apartments throughout the UK.
Call (0)1392 690 079 today or visit our website to find out more about how we can help you find the find serviced accommodation.