The Prime Minister has been thanking the NHS staff who saved his life last week – he has seen up close their enormous courage, the pressure they are under and how important it is that we stay home and protect our NHS.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests negative for coronavirus as he recovers at Chequers https://www.itv.com/news/2020-04-13/boris-johnson-prime-minister-tests-negative-coronavirus-continues-recovery-chequers/
The Foreign Secretary has highlighted the importance of continuing to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.
- The overwhelming majority of people stayed at home over the Easter weekend and understood the importance of denying Coronavirus the social contact it needs to spread.
- People should be in no doubt that by staying home they have ensured vital capacity for the NHS, meaning that our NHS services do not become overwhelmed with pressure.
- We are beginning to see some positive signs in the data, which is why it is important that everyone continues to follow the advice: stay home, protect our NHS, save lives.
The NHS and vital public services will receive more than £14 billion from the Coronavirus emergency response fund, so that they have all the resources they need to combat Coronavirus.
This support builds on the initial £5 billion announced at the Budget, and as we set out then, the Government stands ready to support our NHS and local authorities with the funds they need to support those in their care.
We are helping our public services cope with:
- £1.6 billion for local authorities
- £0.9 billion to cover extra measures such as home delivery of food and medicines to the most vulnerable people
- £3.5 billion to ensure vital rail services continue to operate for those who rely upon them for essential journeys
- £2 billion for the devolved administrations
We will do whatever it takes to ensure that our public service personnel have everything they need to protect this country and its people from Coronavirus.
The UK is helping to lead the global fight against Coronavirus, so we can bring this pandemic to an end sooner and prevent further waves of infection in the future.
- If Coronavirus is left to spread in developing countries with weak healthcare systems, this could leave the UK vulnerable to the virus re-emerging later in the year – putting further pressure on our NHS.
- We’re committing a £200 million package to support UK charities and international organisations to help improve public health in developing countries, making the UK one of the biggest donors to the international response.
- Coronavirus does not respect country borders; by deploying British expertise and funding around the world, we are helping to lead an international response to end this global pandemic sooner and prevent further waves of infection coming to the UK.
The Home Secretary has outlined extra support to protect the victims of domestic abuse during this national emergency, so they have a safe place to go if they can’t stay at home.
- While the guidelines are helping to keep the majority of us safe, staying at home can leave some people more vulnerable to domestic abuse, and there has been a concerning increase in people seeking help for this hidden crime.
- That’s why the Home Secretary has launched a campaign to tell victims that they can leave home to get the support they need and is providing up to £2 million to enhance online support services and helplines for domestic abuse, so that anybody who needs it can access that help and support. Please share these graphics with the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone.
- The Government is also looking at alternative accommodation to support the work of refuges, so that the victims of domestic abuse who can’t stay at home will have a safe place to go.
Stay at home
You must stay at home, only leaving 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 immediate household.
- Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
Protect the NHS
You must stay at home to protect the NHS:
- The NHS only has a limited number of doctors, nurses and specialist equipment.
- We are working around the clock to increase NHS capacity.
- The more people who get sick, the harder it is for the NHS to cope.
- We must slow the spread of the disease so that fewer people are sick at any one time.
Save lives
You must stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. The police will have the powers to enforce the following restrictions:
- Dispersing gatherings of more than two people in public, excluding people you live with.
- Issuing fines to anyone who does not comply with these rules.
- Closing shops that are not essential, as well as playgrounds and places of worship.
Full guidance on staying at home can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can find the most up to date medical advice at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus