Coronavirus lockdown chaos as Brits grapple with confusing new rules which cops ‘can’t enforce’

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BRITAIN was plunged into chaos and confusion today over what they could and couldn’t do after the coronavirus lockdown.

The Government was accused of muddying the waters for the lockdown rules – as MPs lined up and demanded answers.

Brits have been left confused about what they can and can’t do in the lockdown

Former Health Minister Steve Brine told Matt Hancock: “This is the confusion – people are not sure what they can and cannot do.”

No10 insisted that their advice was “very clear” and people should read it in full to find out what they should do.

But already police were warning that the new rules were so extensive that police wouldn’t be able to enforce it.

Downing Street said this morning fines of £30 were on the cards for Brits flouting the rules – and that could go up if needed.

GOING OUTSIDE

In a dramatic address to the nation last night, the PM said that Brits should NOT be going outside their homes unless it was for one of four reasons – and they should not be meeting up with anyone else unless they are already living with you.

That is for food or essentials, a medical appointment, to go to work if you have to, and for exercise once a day.

Tens of thousands of non-essential shops were ordered to close last night.

But banks, post offices and garages were set to remain open – leading to confusion as to whether Brits were allowed to visit these or not.

Communal play and exercise areas inside parks will also be shut down, but not parks themselves.

Mums and dads can take their kids out with them if it’s not safe to leave them alone.

GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN TWO

All gatherings of more than two people in public were forbidden – meaning a ban on all social events, including weddings and baptisms.

But the advice did not specify whether it would be allowed to meet one person – providing they were a safe two metre distance apart.

The PM said last night: “You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no.

“You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.”

ESSENTIAL SHOPS

Despite Boris saying last night that Brits should only go out daily for four reasons – the Government later clarified that emergencies were exceptional.

A raft of shops are going to remain open in case they are needed – including banks, post offices, garages and DIY stores.

While Brits WILL still be allowed to go to them, it should be only if they are really essential.

So if you need to get your MOT done if you’re a key worker, you’ll be able to.

But if you’re not, you shouldn’t be travelling and must stay home rather than get it done.

Many of the brands closing down their high street branches are still operating an online delivery service – and in some cases they are even waiving delivery fees and extending their refund rights to help customers out.

But its likely that delivery slots will quickly sell out – so get in there quick if you need something.

Car rental shops and bike repair shops will also be open – seen as essential to the country running smoothly.

Builders are being told to carry on working – but stay a safe distance apart
Shops will close – but you can get goods delivered online

SEEING LOVERS

Experts told lovers today that if they wanted to see each other during the lockdown they should move in with each other – and stay there.

Brits won’t be allowed in and out of each others homes as they would risk spreading the virus.

It is unclear whether partners would be able to see each other if they stayed two metres apart, as is the guidance for everyone at the moment unless you share a home.

No10 were today asked specifically whether last night’s lockdown would mean that boyfriends and girlfriends should not see each other.

Downing Street stressed that the rules were “clear” and that people should only be going out of the house alone, with members of their own live-in family – or if it were for “work reasons”.

The PM’s spokesperson said this morning: “I think the rules are clear in relation to when you are out of the house, only do so with members of your own household or if its for work reasons.

“People should follow rules in a common sense way.

“I think people should look at guidelines and use their common sense.

“We are working at pace and as people raise issues we will get clarity for them.”

CAN I GO TO WORK – OR NOT?

Yesterday Boris said everyone who could work from home should be doing so.

But there was confusion about exactly which businesses would be shutting and which would stay open.

Sadiq Khan said construction workers in the capital should NOT go into work, but Michael Gove said earlier they could as long as they stayed a safe distance apart.

No10 has said anyone who can work at home must do so, and avoid public transport. This includes all workers in an office based situation.

If they absolutely have to go in to do their job, they are allowed to do so but must stay at least two metres apart from other colleagues.

This will include people working in factories, for example, who can’t work from home.

Work meetings are allowed, even though they break the gatherings rule.

Again, people must stay a safe distance apart.

Sadiq Khan urged anyone who didn’t need to use public transport to stay at home – and said construction workers shouldn’t go in
London’s tubes were busy again this morning as people went into work anyway

Sports Direct this morning tried to claim it was an essential service and should be allowed to continue to operate – but soon announced they would shut after being slapped down by the Government.

More guidance is set to some on how employees can stay safe in their place of work.

DIVORCED PARENTS

This morning Michael Gove caused confusion when he said children would have to stay put in their homes.

But later he clarified that the kids of separated parents would be allowed to go from one home to the other during the lockdown period.