Coronavirus in Portsmouth: QA boss urges public to obey social distancing guidelines to prevent virus spreading

Mark Cubbon, the chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, was speaking at the end of a weekend which has seen hundreds of people disregard the government’s social distancing guidelines. Social distancing – avoiding anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms, keeping away from other people in general and avoiding public transport, where possible – was introduced to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The sunny weather saw hundreds of people head to the seafront in Portsmouth and Lee-on-the-Solent – scenes that were replicated in parks and on beaches around the country.

The prime minister Boris Johnson also today reiterated the need for people to stay at home where possible.

Mr Cubbon said: ‘The health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, our communities and individuals and teams across the organisation is our absolute priority.

‘Everyone should follow the expert national guidance on social distancing and self-isolation and stay at home wherever possible, to help limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our NHS.

‘We know that this is a worrying time and we continue to work closely with national health and safety bodies and follow national guidance to ensure that all of our practices are safe and meet the necessary requirements.’

Today Portsmouth’s MPs Stephen Morgan and Penny Mordaunt issued a joint statement backing the #stayhomesavelives hashtag that has trended around the world on social media.