The Prime Minister is joined by Chancellor of the Exchequer. Rishi Sunak, and Deputy chief medical officer, Jenny Harries
PM: Your sacrifice [by social distancing and self-isolation] means we are putting the country in a better and stronger position and we will be able to save thousands of lives.
PM: Government telling cafes, pubs, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres across UK to close from tonight and not open tomorrow.
PM: They can continue to provide takeout services.
Chancellor: The government is stepping in to pay people’s wages.
Chancellor: Government grants will cover 80% of salary of retained workers up to £2,500 a month.
The Chancellor said the government will pick up “most of” the wages of workers.
Rishi Sunak said: “Today I can announce that in the first time of our history, the government is going to step in and help pay people’s wages.
“We’re setting up a new coronavirus job retention scheme. Any employer in the country small or large, charitable or non-profit, will be eligible for the scheme.
“Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month – that’s just above the median income.”
PM says there is a “big effort to ensure we have enough ventilators and intensive care units”.
More to come soon…
Our Previous articles on Coronavirus:
Ibuprofen warnings over effects on COVID-19
Coronavirus lockdowns are improving global air quality
UK ‘may have up to 55,000 coronavirus cases already’
Euro 2020 has been postponed until next summer
Uk Businesses need our help, here is what you can do!
What to do with your time in lockdown?
What is quarantine and self-isolation?
PM Urges Brits to not go to pubs, restaurants and work from home where possible
PM: Whole household isolation for 14 days if symptoms are shown
Public face £1,000 fine or jail if they refuse coronavirus tests or quarantine
7.9 million could be hospitalised due to Coronavirus outbreak
