Pubs and restaurants told that they must close

In his daily press conference, Boris Johnson said that the government is strengthening previously announced measures to avoid unnecessary social contact, and that will include ruling that all cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants must close tonight (20 March).

Following agreement of all the four nations of the UK, the Prime Minister also announced the the timescale ban also applied to nightclubs, theatres, gyms, cinemas and leisure centres must also close on the same timescale. The new social distancing measures would be reviewed every month to see if any could be relaxed.

Johnson thanked people for responding to official encouragement earlier this week to stay away from such places, but stated that the time had now come to take ‘the next steps on scientific advice’. Speaking alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Johnson said that cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants would be allowed to sell takeaway food and drink.

It still seems that government officials believe they have the power to order bans even without special emergency laws drafted specifically to battle the pandemic.

Separately, the chancellor announced that the government will pay 80% of wages for employees who are not working, up to £2,500 a month.