Coronavirus: Campaigners in hazmat suits ‘lock down’ Downing Street in protest at UK’s response measures

Group accuses government of failing to listen to World Health Organization and prioritising economy during virus outbreak

A group of protesters has convened outside Downing Street to peacefully demand the UK government put the country under lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Calling themselves ‘Pause The System’, the campaigners arrived dressed in fake hazmat suits, gloves and face masks, and put up biohazard tape around the gates of No 10.

Their action comes just hours before Boris Johnson is due to chair an emergency COBRA meeting to discuss measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Pause The System has three demands of the UK government, including closing non-essential businesses and schools, providing safety nets and care for vulnerable communities, and overhauling environmental and animal trade industries to prevent future pandemics.

In a statement, it said: “We are in a public health emergency. The government is failing to listen to the World Health Organization (WHO) and are prioritising the economy, disregarding the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The group is also calling for the government to implement a universal basic income policy to support people through the crisis.

Dan Kidby, a spokesperson for Pause The System, said: “Universal basic income, full statutory sick pay, and the pausing of mortgages and rents, ensures that everybody in society can be truly cared for, and get the financial support they need. In the long-term, it will also help us reduce inequality and get back on our feet after Covid-19 passes.”

The UK government has received criticism for its response so far to the pandemic, which has infected 1,391 people in the country and resulted in 35 deaths.

Over the weekend, confusion and accusations of complacency cast a long shadow over the government’s plans to order anyone over the age of 70 to self-quarantine for months.

The prime minister agreed to hold daily televised press conferences from Monday to update the public about the response to the virus, after it briefed only select journalists about the plans.

The government also published new and updated guidance on limiting the spread of Covid-19 to assist staff, employers and members of the public.

The new guidance from Public Health England outlines key information for specific sectors such as educational institutions, prisons, immigration centres and other places of detention, shipping and sea ports, transport hubs, and hostels and day centres for rough sleepers.

But the advice stops short of ordering these places to close unless told to do so by the local Public Health England Health Protection Team or the government.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our goal is to protect life by protecting the vulnerable and the NHS. We are in the midst of the biggest public health emergency in a generation, and everyone has a part to play.

“As the Government works around the clock as part of our action plan to tackle the virus, it’s vital that different industries know exactly what they need to do to limit the spread of Covid-19 and ultimately protect life.

“This updated guidance provides clear information on what to do if someone is experiencing symptoms, how to keep people informed and the precautions that we should all be taking — including continuing to regularly wash out hands,” he added.

Public Health England’s National Infections Service Deputy Director Nick Phin said: “The most important actions people can all take are to wash their hands regularly, stay at home when they have symptoms — however mild — and to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.

“We will keep our guidance under constant review and update it as the situation unfolds.”