British Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts U.K. under lockdown to fight coronavirus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts U.K. under lockdown to fight coronavirus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced strict new measures Monday night to close all but "essential" businesses and keep people largely confined to their homes. The move came after weeks of criticism that the government wasn't doing enough to fight the U.K.'s coronavirus outbreak



only reason people are permitted to leave their homes now is to get essential supplies and exercise — but they've been urged to use food delivery services, and are permitted only one workout per day outside their homes, either alone or with other members of the same household



At present there are just no easy options," Johnson said. "The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost. And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through

police have the power to fine people for violating the rules and to disperse gatherings of more than two people.



For weeks Johnson's government has been criticized for acting too slowly, with many fearing the U.K. could be on course for an outbreak as severe as Italy's.