COVID-19: UK heads for stricter lockdown as pubs, gyms told to shut down

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told pubs, bars, restaurants, gyms and other social venues to shut down from Friday night and stay closed as part of stricter lockdown measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 177 lives in the UK.

Addressing his daily briefing from 10 Downing Street in London, the Mr. Johnson said the new rules would be enforced strictly and the situation would be reviewed on a month by month basis.

The announcement will come as a massive blow to businesses, already struggling with lower footfalls.

Alongside the shutdown



announcement, Johnson was joined by his Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who unveiled a massive wage boost for people who find themselves facing hardship.

The UK's Indian-origin finance minister announced that the government would cover 80 per cent of wages for the country's struggling workers.

The UK has already been under semi-lockdown measures but there were fears that many people were not taking the advice seriously enough, resulting in the forced closure of establishments as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases mounted to 3,269.