‘Things will get worse before they get better’: Boris Johnson writes letter to every home in Britain urging public to ‘stay at home and save lives’ during coronavirus ‘national emergency’
- The estimated cost of Boris Johnson’s letter project is estimated at £5.8million
- It is the latest move in a COVID-19 information campaign led by Number 10
- People have been caught flouting lockdown in the days after it was implemented
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Boris Johnson is writing to every household in the UK to urge the public to obey the lockdown and stay home during the coronavirus ‘national emergency’.
The Prime Minister, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, will warn ‘things will get worse before they get better’ as he stresses the need to stay indoors to support the NHS by slowing the spread.
At an anticipated cost of £5.8 million, the letters will land on 30 million doorsteps along with a leaflet spelling out the Government’s advice following much public confusion.
It comes as Britain’s coronavirus death toll rocketed by 260 to 1,019 today as the UK suffered its worst day yet and saw a huge spike in victims.
Across the country a total of 120,776 coronavirus tests have taken place, and a whopping 17,089 have come back positive for Covid-19.
Boris Johnson is writing to every home in the UK (Niklas Halle´n/PA)
The letters and leaflets are the latest in a public information campaign from No 10 to convince people to stay at home, wash their hands and shield the most vulnerable from the disease.
‘We know things will get worse before they get better,’ the PM’s letter will read.
‘But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal.
‘It has been truly inspirational to see our doctors, nurses and other carers rise magnificently to the needs of the hour.
A police officer talks to a cyclist at Regents Park in London, during a lockdown over the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that people should only leave their homes for essential work, groceries, medical necessity and exercise
A handout photo made available by n10 Downing street shows Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson chairing the morning Covid-19 meeting after self isolating after testing positive for the Coronavirus in n10 Downing street in London, Britain today
A police van drives past people taking their daily exercise allowance in Hyde Park in London on today, as life in Britain continues during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. – The two men leading Britain’s fight against the coronavirus — Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Health Secretary Matt Hancock — both announced Friday they had tested positive for COVID-19, as infection rates accelerated and daily death rate rose sharply
‘Thousands of retired doctors and nurses are returning to the NHS – and hundreds of thousands of citizens are volunteering to help the most vulnerable.
‘That is why, at this moment of national emergency, I urge you, please, to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.’
Amid allegations of confusing messages on the lockdown, the leaflet will outline the Government’s rules on leaving the house and advice on shielding vulnerable people.
A clear explanation of the symptoms will also be included as will guidance on hand washing.