World’s leaders ask their citizens to stay home amid Covid-19 threat surges

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Medical personnel dressed in personal protective equipment prepare to give a coronavirus swab test at a drive-thru testing station in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 23, 2020. Getty Images

The UK’s government has just imposed the most stringent social restrictions on the British public on March 24.

With immediate effect, the UK is being instructed to stay at home, with exceptions for basic shopping, one form of exercise a day, medical need and some designated key workers. British police have been empowered to enforce the rules by dispersing gatherings and issuing fines.

"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction -- you must stay at home," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a stern warning to Canadians who ignore social distancing advice, telling citizens to “go home and stay home!” – and leaving open the possibility his government could take more extreme measures as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise.

The blunt message on Monday came after images circulated online showing groups of people congregating in parks, along streets and on playing fields over the weekend.

The Canadian PM spoke from self-isolation after his wife tested positive for the coronavirus more than a week ago.

Italy has been under total lockdown since March 13, as coronavirus cases continue to spread rapidly through the country.

But some residents have not heeded lawmakers' orders. Some Italian officials said they have seen people wandering empty cities, gathering at parks to play games and walking their dogs.

"Go home, this is not a film on TV, this is a national emergency!," Antonio Decaro, Mayor of Bari, stressed to his residents last week. "Go home, you can't play ping pong, go to your playstations," he said. "You're not allowed to be here, go play at home with your playstations."

As coronavirus case totals rise in the US — the country has confirmed nearly 50,000 cases and 600 deaths — governors are issuing unprecedented "stay at home" orders. The list of states that have announced lockdowns includes California, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington among others.

Those who've been told to stay at home or shelter in place are meant to avoid going outside except for essential purchases —like buying food or medicine — or for work in critical sectors.

The goal of these measures is social distancing — keeping people apart and limiting gatherings — in order to slow the spread of the virus.

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