London gears up for potential lockdown, supermarkets go empty amid coronavirus scare

While UK is still struggling to flatten curve of coronavirus spre in country, residents, especially of London, were seen bracing mselves from much tougher lockdown measures. As of March 20, Britain has recorded at least 3,269 coronavirus infections, out which more than 900 are from its capital. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on March 18 that government will implement harsh measures in London where COVID-19 has been spreing faster than any or part of country. 

British government is reportedly struggling to contain virus which is drastically spreing across country despite city guidelines which have vised all citizens to practice social distancing and n-essential travel. However, while London streets were seen empty, UK Prime Minister said that y can still, “turn tide” of pandemic in next 12 weeks, only if people follow visories issued by government.

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Panic buying in London supermarkets

According to an international news ncy, at least 40 London tube stations were set to close ahe of an expected lockdown. Despite Johnson dressing issue of ‘panic buying’ and urging all citizens to refrain from it, media reports have stated that re were still long queues outside stores in London along with certain cases of inappropriate behaviour by customers. store have been running out of stocks and supermarkets are hoping to get police support in order to deal with unruly behaviour. 

British shoppers were standing in long queues around block on March 19 ahe of intense measures that government might impose, however, most supermarkets are still taking online orders but y will t be delivered for up to 21 days. Johnson, on or hand, urged people to be "thoughtful".

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British government has also cautioned public to avoid social contact and choose to work from home as much as possible. Moreover, Johnson even held a meeting with dozens of industry leers and urged m to assist country to scale-up production of medical equipment.

While dressing nation, Queen Elizabeth II said that royal family would also play its part as Britain struggles to face challenge posed by unprecedented outbreak of dely coronavirus. Indian doctors in UK also called on British government to take urgent action in dressing increasing pressure on state-funded National Health Service (NHS) by suspending n-urgent surgeries. 

Meanwhile, UK government also anunced that it would be closing all schools in upcoming days and placed at least 20,000 troops on standby in efforts to stem spre of COVID-19. ding to crisis, European Union’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier was also tested positive of vel virus which originated in Chinese province of Wuhan in December 2019. 

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(With PTI inputs)