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Johnson's U-turn: London is preparing to close | Israel today

3/19/2020, 1:07:29 PM


Europe

As the number of the dead has crossed the century and more than two thousand have been infected, the authorities in the kingdom are making tough decisions • The prime minister has pledged to increase the number of daily tests but doubts the health system is capable of doing so • The Queen has left Buckingham Palace in London

  • British Prime Minister Johnson in a Special Speech // Photo: IP

  • Deserted National Gallery plaza in London // Photo: AFP

  • Empty shelves at London supermarket // Photo: AFP

Britain changes direction: After more than a month in which the London government refused to take measures of social isolation, economic downturn and closure declaration, UK authorities admit Thursday that curfew may not be imposed on the London capital this weekend.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced a significant increase in the number of daily checks carried out in the country, which currently stands at less than 4,000. Johnson has pledged that the number will rise to 25,000 in the coming week.

"We will, of course, work first and foremost to allow national health care workers to be tested, for the obvious reason that we want to make sure they can serve the public," the British prime minister said during parliamentary questioning.



But despite Johnson's pledge to raise the number of tests, health officials told the British Guardian that the number presented by the prime minister is based on the availability of a test system that is not yet in use and is under development.

As part of the preparations for a general closure on the London capital, Reuters revealed that the country's largest retail chains have approached the police to secure them in the event of a closure, fearing the crowds would flood the supermarkets and cases of violence and looting will occur.



Meanwhile, Queen of England Elizabeth II left Buckingham Palace in the capital London to the Windsor Palace, east of the London capital, apparently for fear of the plague spread.



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