‘Life put on hold’ as UK begins coronavirus ‘lockdown’

The implications of the prime minister’s advice for people to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres are told in stark headlines on the front pages.

The Times has “Britain in lockdown” – accompanied by a picture of a deserted concourse at Waterloo Station in London during rush hour.

“Britain shuts up shop” is the Mail’s headline. The paper describes the restrictions as the biggest shutdown of normal life since World War Two.

The Sun says Boris Johnson has put up the closed sign on Britain – and Mother’s Day this weekend is, in effect, cancelled. But the Express tries to rally its readers with the headline: “We can do it together.”

Visits to the pub; an five-a-side after the office; work at the office itself; popping round to granny and grandpa. Somehow, he says, it’s the cancellation of the mundane that cuts through.

Reporting on the lockdown measures in the US, the New York Times says the fast-spreading virus has put an end to movies, date nights and other economic activity.

It says it is clear everywhere that most of the American economy is grinding to an unparalleled halt and will remain that way for months.

But it adds that without concrete assurances of financial assistance from the federal government, employers and employees are torn between fears of being exposed to the virus and fears of running out of money to pay for food and electricity.

In the UK, the Financial Times reports that the government’s measures drew an angry response from the hospitality and entertainment industry – with pubs and theatres saying the “strong advice” to avoid their businesses, without the government ordering closure, will leave many unable to claim insurance.

But the Times reports that the chancellor has started work on a significant new bailout for businesses.

James Forsyth – on the Spectator website – says he suspects the £12bn of coronavirus measures announced in the Budget will turn out to be just the start of what the government has to spend to try and limit the social and economic damage.

According to Buzzfeed News, teachers have warned that schools risk becoming “breeding grounds” for the coronavirus because the government has not provided them with the funding for deep cleaning and hand sanitisers.

A teacher at a secondary school in Yorkshire with more than 1,000 pupils and staff says that in order to follow official guidance, there would have to be about 6,000 hand washes a day, but it’s just not happening because there aren’t enough santisers – or sinks to get everyone washing their hands regularly.