Latest coronavirus information - last updated 24 March 2020

Updated social distancing measures 

To support the NHS response to the Covid-19 outbreak, last night (23 March 2020) the Government updated its instruction on social distancing. Issued with immediate effect, people are now only allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

• shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible;
• one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
• any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
• travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

To ensure compliance, the Government has immediately:

• closed all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;
• Stopped all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; and
• Stopped all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.