Prime minister announcement at 12

[Hugglespuffed]

Is it going to be drastic changes? Or just 'work at home if you can'?

Where have you seen this announced?

It's been widely reported. There's a Cobra meeting this morning at which BoJo is likely to agree a move to phase 2 - school closures and lockdowns

I think it's going to be a reduction of social gatherings - not being in offices, schools etc unless you absolutely have to.

The BBC have avoided mentioning school closures. I think the advice to isolate if you have a cold will force closure of many schools, small and medium businesses etc. without BJ taking the flak. It will be closures by the back door and someone apart from the govt to blame for any inconvenience.

The WHO are pushing for more drastic action. Let's see what Boris does.

He's got to move us to the next phase.

I thought Cobr was this afternoon or have I read that incorrectly somewhere?

I think this will be

Anyone with a cold self isolate for 7 days
Work from home if you can
Wash your hands

Let's see...

BBC put the WHO announcement of a pandemic pretty low down in its headlines last night. Obviously (and understandably) the budget was top story.
I have lived in other countries in difficult times there and the main news did everything to minimise tricky national stuff. Presume the BBC is either choosing to do it this way or was asked to.

I heard yesterday that they are planning school closures. I think they won't announce this yet though.

(I am laughing at myself joining in this "I've heard …." stuff).

Perhaps we’ll be told to sing “Happy Birthday” three times when washing hands now that things are getting more serious?

Yes thanks all, I heard on bbc breakfast. 12pm announcement.

I work in childcare and spend basically every other week with a cold due to small ones being super spreaders of germs! They are going to have to make testing easier as I can't afford to be off for 7 days everytime i have a sniffle.

There is a Cobra meeting today and then they will tell the measures.

BBC news said during the night they are expecting BoJo to announce a move to the delay phase but they don’t expect him to encourage social distancing. So it sounds like a change in name not in policy.

Do we think sporting events will be cancelled or go ahead this weekend? Just wondering if the behind closed doors rule will come into play. I am sure I have seen USA but NBA off for a month

in parliament yesterday, Mat Hancock said they are not looking at school closures, as children are not effected that much.

I'd expect the following

a) all people in the vulnerable groups to distance themselves socially (no public transport, avoiding being within 2m of other people, especially indoors, no handshakes; with sick leave if any of that prevents working)
b) everyone with cold symptoms to self isolate
c) large events to be cancelled/postponed
d) schools to close early for the Easter holidays (possibly continuing, at schools discretion, only for years 11 and 13)

Surely Matt Hancock wouldn't have said that, @Newyear? What about all the other demographics that will catch it from the children? I keep hearing people give that reason for why government aren't shutting schools and it makes no sense to me.

I doubt he’ll announce moving to the next phase, the economy and money is far more important to the Tories than people dying.

Perhaps we’ll be told to sing “Happy Birthday” three times when washing hands now that things are getting more serious?

love you GC

As with Trump, I can't bear to look at or listen to the ghastly selfish man, so could someone kindly give me a precis when it's over? Thank you

So if govt says work from home but your boss dont agree, then what? Especially if you can do 110% of your work from home...

I really can't see schools closing because of the way it would handicap all other public services. Maybe early for Easter but not yet.

I think probably restrictions on travel and major gatherings

Perhaps we’ll be told to sing “Happy Birthday” three times when washing hands now that things are getting more serious?

What are Jehovah's Witnesses supposed to sing?

b) everyone with cold symptoms to self isolate

I don’t think this will work. Some people will still feel bad about calling in sick so will carry on going to work. Other people will use it as an excuse even if they don’t have cold symptoms. It’s the same as when people/kids have norovirus and are asked to stay away for 48 hours after last symptom - a lot of people still ignore it!

Surely Matt Hancock wouldn't have said that, @Newyear? What about all the other demographics that will catch it from the children? I keep hearing people give that reason for why government aren't shutting schools and it makes no sense to me

He definitely said it. He also said that the 3k Madrid supporters in Liverpool was ok too and that the Science behind the mass crowds wasn't sound. ( paraphrased)