Coronavirus sees Mother’s Day cancelled with Brits told to avoid visits to friends and family
MOTHER'S Day plans may have to be scrapped amid concern that family gatherings could spread infection of the coronavirus.
Yesterday the Government released new guidelines on "social distancing" to protect older people and vulnerable adults from the killer virus.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The British public is being advised against "unnecessary travel", which is likely to impact travelling home to see family members, as well as attending mass gatherings.
And last night the Government's advice specifically mentioned not "having friends and family to the house" - effectively ruling out seeing mums for Sunday's big day.
The advice says: "Avoid gatherings with friends and family.
"Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media."
Those with underlying health conditions and older people are much more likely to be killed by deadly bug Covid-19, experts have warned.
Boris Johnson yesterday announced that those with health issues, pregnant women and the over-70s — around 20 million Brits — should avoid leaving the house where possible.
The PM added that by the weekend, which coincides with Mother’s Day, up to 1.5 million people with the “most serious health conditions” must avoid almost all social contact for 12 weeks.
And for those that do fall into that category, it is advised that only essential care of food and washing should be allowed in.
He also explained that those at greater risk should work from home and should stop “non-essential contact with others”.
This is especially the case for those based in London, where the epidemic is thought to be a couple of weeks ahead in terms of spread.
As part of the measures, anyone living in a household with somebody who has either a persistent cough or fever must now also isolate themselves for 14 days.
All people should avoid gatherings and crowded places, including pubs, restaurants, bars and theatres, the PM added.
Coronavirus deaths yesterday hit 55 in Britain as cases surged to 1,543 — a jump of 171 more from the day before.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock described it as "the most serious public health emergency that our nation has faced for a generation".
Health conditions posing a coronavirus risk
Some of the chronic conditions said to heighten the risk among patients are:
- chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as , , emphysema or
- chronic heart disease, such as
- chronic liver disease, such as
- chronic neurological conditions, such as , , , a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- problems with your spleen – for example, disease or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as , or medicines such as or
- being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
