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Coronavirus Kent: Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns of more restrictions if people don't obey safety advice

By: Geoffrey Bew

Published: 17:39, 22 March 2020

Updated: 19:15, 22 March 2020

Further restrictions could be put on people's movements unless they obey the safety advice issued amid the coronavirus outbreak, says the Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson said flouting the rules would only slow down efforts to thwart the spread of COVID-19, which has now claimed the lives of 281 people in the UK, including two in Kent.

Boris Johnson speaking at Downing Street

"I want people to be able to go to parks and open spaces - it's crucial for mental and physical well being," he said during a briefing at Downing Street.

"But please follow the advice and don't think that fresh air automatically provides some immunity - you have to stay two metres apart and following the social distancing advice.

"Take this advice seriously because it's absolutely crucial.

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"We will keep the implementation of these measures under constant review and we will bring forward further measures if we think that is necessary."

Mr Johnson also urged parents not to send their children to school tomorrow unless you have had been identified as a key worker.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick

Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said "enormous sacrifices" to our daily routines were needed to save lives.

"Today we have to go further and shield the most clinically vulnerable people.

"The NHS has identified up to 1.5 million people in England who face the highest risk of being hospitalised by the virus.

"The NHS will be contacting these people in the coming days urging them to stay at home for a period of at least 12 weeks.

"This will include people living with severe respiratory conditions, specific cancers such as of the blood or bone marrow, those who have received organ transplants and some - though not all - who are receiving certain types of immunosuppressive treatments."

The government announced last week it was trialling drugs that could save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus.

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The first was discovered at Maidstone studios on March 2, while the second was someone known to the person involved in the first case.

Across the UK more than 5,683 people have been infected with the virus leading to 281 deaths - with the government's chief scientific adviser earlier saying 20,000 coronavirus fatalities would be a "good outcome" given the seriousness of the outbreak.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here

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