Coronavirus London: ‘Superspreader city’ facing strict lockdown measures

It’s not so much “keep calm and carry on” as “watch Netflix and panic buy” in London as 20,000 military personnel go on standby in the fight against coronavirus.

London has been dubbed a “superspreader city” with residents facing stricter social distancing measures including a lockdown of the English capital in the fight against coronavirus.

The city has the highest rates of coronavirus cases in the UK with nearly 1000 confirmed cases and an unknown number of undetected or asymptomatic infections.

The city of nine million is expected to be plunged into a stricter lockdown within days, with residents given 12 hours notice, British media reports. It could mean police guarding supermarkets, air dropped rations and more restrictions on shops being asked to close.

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Officials have labelled it a “superspreader city” in which people could be required to have paperwork to travel, according to UK media reports.

On Thursday Downing Street moved to dispel rising panic, telling journalists it would not ban people entering or leaving the city and the transport network would remain open.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s team also quashed reports that only one person would be able to leave home at once, however further restrictions on movement were not ruled out.

It comes as the UK Ministry of Defence put 20,000 staff on standby to help deal with the outbreak including training military personnel to drive oxygen tankers to support health service if necessary.

Emergency policing measures would be outlined later on Thursday and camp beds and food supplies were seen being moved into Downing Street.

The tube is being kept open to help healthcare workers get to work. Picture: Tolga AKMEN / AFP

London Bridge is deserted compared to the usual throngs of commuters. Picture: Tolga AKMEN / AFP

Shoppers have stripped supermarket shelves, leaving supermarket bosses having to enforce customer limits. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the armed forces were “ready to protect Britain and her citizens from all threats, including COVID-19.”

“From me downwards the entirety of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces are dedicated to getting the nation through this global pandemic.”

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However other leaders fumed that Londoners appeared to be ignoring social distancing measures already introduced as some continued to visit pubs and cafes.

Health Minister Nadine Dorries, who was recently diagnosed with the disease, said the “price to pay for such selfishness will be severe for us all.”

People in London are working in cafes, not at home. One cafe owner tells me that takings have shot up to over double usual daily amount
This is not social distancing, it is irresponsible behaviour and the price to pay for such selfishness will be severe for us all #coronavirus

— Nadine Dorries 🇬🇧 (@NadineDorries) March 18, 2020

A deserted street near the Houses of Parliament, Picture: Adrian DENNIS / AFP.

A sparsely populated House of Commons in Westminster, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Jessica Taylor /UK parliament.

Supermarket shelves have been stripped of essentials while corner shops have been forced to close their doors in order for queues to subside as locals stock up on pasta, vegetables and toilet paper. Many have been confused at government advice so far which has not expressly forbidden people going out but asked them to avoid it. The government said it would no rule out “faster” measures in future.

London mayor Sadiq Khan warned against non-essential travel and said “I want to see more Londoners following the expert advice.”

Speaking to the London assembly, the mayor said the city is not yet at Paris-level bans but wants people to follow expert advice.

“The advice from the government is just advice. I think that provides a mixed message. It’s clearly not been clear enough. We may move to a situation where we move from advice to bans,” he said.

“We are nowhere near the peak.”

It comes as London Underground stations close and the British death roll reaches 104, up 71 from the previous day. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered schools to close from Friday and people to limit social contact and work from home.