Coronavirus lockdown: Portsmouth politicians back stringent restrictions as Boris Johnson orders people to stay at home

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced police will fine people who refuse to follow the rules as he ordered: ‘You must stay at home.’

People can only leave to buy basic necessities - and then only infrequently - to exercise once a day, for any medical needs, to provide care for vulnerable people, and to commute for work - but only if ‘absolutely necessary’.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan backed the measures and said: ‘We are all in this together. Stay home. Save lives. We can do this Portsmouth.’

Shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores, will close. Parks will stay open but gatherings will be dispersed.

Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship will shut.

Weddings, baptisms and any gatherings of more than two people - excluding those who you live with - will be stopped.

Speaking to The News, Mr Morgan said the ‘long overdue’ announcement was welcome but further clarity was needed.

He added: ‘We are in unprecedented times and public health and safety must come first.

‘We all have a part to play. Proudly, Portsmouth people have shown in the past we can rise to a challenge. It is time to do so again.’

Hundreds of people flocked to beaches in Southsea and Lee-on-the-Solent over the weekend in defiance of government advice to abide by social distancing - keeping at least two metres apart from people when outside.

There have been 25 cases in Portsmouth with eight deaths. Frequent hand washing has been advised to slow the spread of the disease.

Portsmouth council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said Mr Johnson’s measures were ‘absolutely right’ and said: ‘If by us staying at home we could stop somebody dying, everybody would do that wouldn’t they? That’s what’s in front of us.’

Councillor Vernon-Jackson added: ‘We just have to get serious about this.

‘It might not be you who gets it, but because of your actions it might be your granny or granddad who dies - and think about them.’

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Addressing the nation, Mr Johnson said: ‘You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no.

‘You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.

‘You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.

‘If you don't follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.’

Opposition MPs have called for more economic measures to support the self-employed to ensure greater compliance.

The measures will be under ‘constant review’ and possibly relaxed in three weeks ‘ if the evidence shows we are able to,’ Mr Johnson said.