Coronavirus: Elderly WILL be able to go out and walk their dogs during months of self-isolation

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THE ELDERLY will be able to go out and walk their dogs during months of self-isolation, Grant Shapps said today.

Yesterday ministers admitted that older people will be told to stay in their homes for up to four months to stop them getting the coronavirus.

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Elderly will still be able to go outside to walk their dogs, the Transport Secretary said

But the Government have not pushed the button on that yet, and are waiting to implement them later on to truly have an effect.

It comes as the number of UK deaths reached 35 yesterday, with more than 1,300 cases.

Mr Shapps, the Transport Secretary, told Radio 4’s Today programme: “We will ask people to do that as and when the moment is right.

“As I said to my mum, it is the case that people will be able to go out and walk your dog.

“It’s about being sensible without going and mixing in crowds.”

Over 70s, who are the most at risk of dying if they catch the illness, will be told to stay inside and avoid contact with others to minimise the risks of getting it.

It’s just one of several measures the Government are looking at implementing to try and tackle the spread, as countries across the world go into lockdown.

Schools remain open and mass gatherings are on for now – but that could change soon.

Mr Shapps said that the British public would have to “come together and protect the vulnerable” for what could be an extended period of time indoors.

The news is different for people who are ill at the moment, who are being told not to leave their homes under any circumstances.

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance are concerned that some elderly people could die at home from neglect if the quarantine is enforced too soon.

The plans are set to come into force in Britain in the next few weeks.

Boris Johnson and health secretary Mr Hancock are hoping that neighbours and loved ones will check in on OAPs to make sure they are ok.

A source said: “We are looking for a huge community effort.”

Food delivery companies Uber and Deliveroo could be drafted in to bring food to society’s most vulnerable during the lockdown.

Meanwhile, shoppers are stripping supermarket shelves of essential items like toilet paper and dried pasta in a bid to stockpile goods.

Supermarkets have begged irresponsible panic buyers to leave enough for everyone, as Brits faced long queues at stops yesterday.

Elderly will still be able to go outside to walk their dogs, the Transport Secretary said
panic buying Tesco
Shelves were left bare in Chester’s largest Tesco store in Broughton

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