Coronavirus UK: Can I still go shopping?

Coronavirus response in the UK was escalated on Monday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing measures were heightened with the elderly and vulnerable being advised to self-isolate for up to 12 weeks. So can you still go shopping?

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Coronavirus is now a global pandemic having infected 189,627 people around the world.

In total, 7,513 people have died so far, with 101,418 people still suffering from the infection.

On Monday, the Prime Minister said the coronavirus outbreak now requires a wartime effort from the country, with authorities urging people to avoid all non-essential travel and social contact.

Mr Johnson said the UK is now approaching the “fast growth” phase of the curve, which means cases are expected to double every five days without “drastic action”.

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Non-essential social tact means all social gatherings and events which cannot be avoided.

Specifically, Mr Johnson has advised all people to work from home where possible as well as avoiding pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues.

Anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms, especially a persistent cough or high temperatures must self-isolate for at least seven days, with anyone they live with self-isolating for a minimum of 14 days.

From Monday, if one person in a household starts to display flu-like symptoms, everyone in that house must stay at home for 14 days.

Can you go shopping if you are self-isolating?

Self-isolating essentially means cutting yourself off from the rest of the world.

Mr Johnson has said this means avoiding leaving the house at all “even to buy food or essentials”.

He added that people are permitted to go out to exercise, but only as long as they keep a safe distance from others.

Any person with symptoms is urged to remain at home in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened and to keep away from other people in the same household.

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Therefore for those infected with coronavirus, they are not permitted to go shopping.

Instead, the Government advice is to ask for help from relatives, friends and neighbours for groceries, other shopping and medication.

These supplies should be dropped off on the doorstep by friends, family and delivery drivers so as to avoid spreading the virus.

Can you go shopping if you are socially distancing?

Anyone not suffering from coronavirus, coronavirus symptoms or living with someone suffering from either of these is technically advised to practice social distancing rather than self-isolation.

Social distancing means trying to avoid contact with others, meaning spending less time in public places where a lot of people are.

The Government therefore wants people to begin working from home, stop all unnecessary travel, avoid social venues and stay at home if anyone suffers coronavirus symptoms.

Shops have seen a massive drop-off in visitors as numbers fell by a third at the weekend.

Retail outlet Laura Ashley is due to become the first casualty of the coronavirus crisis according to retail analysts.

Laura Ashley blamed its struggles in trade on the coronavirus crisis and said it had been seeking a £15m loan.

The news emerged hours after Dixons Carphone announced it was closing all its Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK, meaning 2,900 workers are losing their jobs.

Dixons Carphone said its decision was not related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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