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Boris Johnson: ‘Avoid pubs, clubs and social venues’

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has warned the British public avoid pubs, clubs and social venues in a bid to mitigate the impact of coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases escalates.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has advised Britons to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues

Speaking in the first daily coronavirus update, Johnson said the UK should stop non-essential contact with others and all unnecessary travel.

He advised this was particularly important for those aged over 70, pregnant women and anyone with underlying health conditions.

“Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel,” Johnson said.

“We need people to start working from home where they possibly can and you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues goes without saying.”

The UK government will now hold daily televised news conferences concerning coronavirus as the number of UK cases escalates.

In his first speech, Johnson said the number of coronavirus cases in the UK could double every five or six days without “drastic action”.

The government is also now advising entire families, or households of more than one person, to self-isolate together for 14 days if anyone has a high temperature or a persistent cough.

Johnson said: “That means that if possible, you should not go out, even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise and in that case at a safe distance from others.”

Pubs and bars across Ireland have been ordered to close until at least 29 March due to “reckless behaviour” as consumers failed to adhere to social distancing guidelines put in place due to coronavirus.

Europe and parts of the US have adopted similar tactics. Over the weekend, French president Emmanuel Macron ordered “non-essential public spaces” in France to close, including bars, restaurants, cinemas and galleries across the country.

In Spain, bars and nightclubs were forced to close as the country went into lockdown, while in Germany, bars, clubs, cinemas and sports facilities were also ordered to cease operating temporarily.

In the US, Washington, New York and Los Angeles have closed all bars and nightclubs in an effort to reduce the effects of coronavirus, with only pickup and delivery from restaurants allowed.

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