CORONAVIRUS: Police urge people to stay home and stay safe after emergency measures brought in

PM Boris Johnson last night brought in strict rules which include a ban on public gatherings of more than two people, telling people to stay in their homes, and ordering the immediate closure of shops selling non-essential goods.

The Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police Kerrin Wilson said the changes were absolutely essential.

She urged people to stay at home and stay safe - and gave reassurance that the force would be able to deal with the situation.

The new emergency measures mean people have been told to leave home only to exercise once a day, travel to and from work where "absolutely necessary", shop for essential items and to fulfil any medical or care needs.

ACC Wilson said: “The government’s announcement asking us to change our behaviours is absolutely essential in order to save the lives of our loved ones, the vulnerable, the elderly.

“We now need to put effort into thinking of how we live our lives in a different way for a temporary period. This isn’t easy but it doesn’t take a lot.

“Being asked to stay at home with your loved ones isn’t a difficult thing to do.

“And for those who are alone at home and for who this recent ask is a hard one to imagine in practice, we ask that you take time to look after others and keep lines of communication open at a safe distance by using the telephone, the internet, posting letters through doors while we take our daily exercise – any of the creative ways we can still keep in contact while still keeping a physical distance.

“We are all in this together and need to look after one another.

“I fully expect that the people of Lincolnshire will abide by the new restrictions put in place, many already are. We will make sure our officers talk to people, explain, reassure, and support.

“For those in the minority who aren’t listening and who decide that they shouldn’t follow national advice in the midst of this global health crisis, we will have new powers to enforce social distancing. We are working through the exact detail of what that means but these are powers we should not have to use, but will do so if necessary.

“We want people to be responsible, to realise that their actions can put people in danger, and the priority for Lincolnshire Police together with our other emergency service colleagues is to protect the vulnerable and literally save lives.

“We have enough officers to deal with this and we have spent years planning for emergency situations such as this. We will continue to police, we will continue to be there for you.

“We all signed up to Lincolnshire Police to help save lives. Now is the time for you to help us save lives – stay at home, stay safe.”