British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Saturday warned the UK public to continue to follow the strict social distancing as the death toll from coronavirus rose by 917 to hit a total of 9,875.
The senior Indian-origin Cabinet minister, who led the daily Downing Street briefing, said that a majority of the population have been following the Government’s stay-at-home guidance but there was a small minority who should be aware that the police forces have the powers they require to impose the lockdown measures.
“We have given the police powers to enforce the necessary measures we have put in place, including through enforcement fines. “If you don’t play your part... Our selfless police will be unafraid to act. You will be endangering the lives of your own family, friends and loved ones,” she said, adding that the police forces would be following the UK’s overarching “policing by consent” doctrine when striking a balance between force and common sense.
The minister also unveiled a new set of measures to combat domestic and child abuse, including a 2 million pounds fund to enhance online support services and helplines, as she highlighted a new set of challenges being faced by the country’s security services during the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tested positive for coronavirus, is on the road to recovery at a London hospital ward, taking short walks, Downing Street said on Saturday. It also emerged on Saturday that puzzles, sudoku and films are keeping the UK Prime Minister occupied.