Pubs and restaurants ordered to shut until further notice after closing time tonight

UK Government prime minister Boris Johnson has ordered all bars – along with leisure centres, nightclubs, theatres and restaurants – to shut indefinitely after closing time tonight, March 20.

He has also promised to cover the wages of workers otherwise facing losing their jobs due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

At his daily press conference today, Mr Johnson said drastic measures are needed to reduce unnecessary social gatherings by 75% in order to slow down the infection rate.

“The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now, and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice, and following our plan, we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday,” he said.

“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.”

UK chancellor of the exchequer Rushi Sunak followed that announcement by pledging to set up a job protection scheme to help employers hit by the outbreak.

He said that they will be able to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to cover 80% of the wages of staff they keep on up to £2,500 a month each.

Mr Sunak said “our planned economic response will be one of the most comprehensive in the world”.

He added: “To all those at home right now, anxious about the days ahead, I say you will not face this alone.”

Mr Johnson’s announcement came after scientists advising the UK Government warned that restrictions to control the spread of the virus will need to be in place for most of the year at least.

It also came as a further 39 people in England were confirmed to have died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the UK death toll to 177.

So far, nine Borderers have tested positive for the disease following the first cases here being confirmed a week ago on Wednesday.