British PM tells people: 'You must stay at home'

The United Kingdom has become the latest European country to impose an effective lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced stringent restrictions on everyday life on Monday and said to people, "You must stay at home."

British people are only allowed to leave their homes for "very limited purposes" starting on Monday night such as shopping for daily necessities and medical needs, Johnson announced in a televised address to the nation on Monday evening. The new measures are set to last for at least three weeks and are subject to constant review.

He also ordered shops selling nonessential goods to be closed immediately. Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship were also ordered to be closed. All social events and the gathering of more than two people in public will also be barred, except for people that one lives with.

"From this evening, I must give the British people a very simple instruction: You must stay at home," Johnson said, adding that police have powers to enforce the rules, including issuing fines and dispersing gatherings.

The UK has reported 6,650 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 335 deaths as of Monday, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

The novel coronavirus continues to take its toll across Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, and lockdowns have been put in place in many countries, notably in worst-hit Italy, as well as in France and Spain. The continent has reported 182,470 cases and 10,049 deaths as of Monday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

In Spain, Europe's second hardest-hit country, the number of confirmed cases rose to 39,673 from 33,089 on Monday, and the death toll climbed to 2,696, according to the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Services.

Spain paid tribute on Monday to front-line staff battling the disease that had infected nearly 4,000 health workers. Health Minister Salvador Illa said on Monday at a news conference that the country's health service is "demonstrating a great capacity to respond in an exceptional situation", but he warned that the epidemic could reach its peak in Spain in the coming days.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Monday that a virtual lockdown imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus could last several more weeks, and sanctions against those who break the rules would be tougher.

"Many French people would like to return to normalcy, but it will not (happen) tomorrow," he told French television TF1 news.

He said that open-air markets in France would be closed starting on Tuesday. People would be allowed to go out for a walk with their children or to exercise once a day for no more than one hour.

As of Monday, France has reported 19,856 cases of coronavirus infection and 860 deaths, Health Minister Olivier Veran said.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news conference in Geneva on Monday that it is "heartbreaking" to see more than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide, and he urged countries to take not just defensive but also offensive measures.

While the virus spreads rapidly across the world, Stephen Perry, chairman of The 48 Group Club, a British organization composed of company leaders promoting China-UK trade, said COVID-19 is a "world virus" that requires an international response, and individual countries should not blame any particular nation.

In reference to some politicians repeated using of the term "Chinese virus" in speeches and on social media in the past few days, Perry called it "unfortunate if some wish to criticize others to steer blame away from themselves. This is the world's virus and it is best handled by the world".

"It is for all to unite to fight it. Don't be distracted. Don't use racist words. Be brave and face this together."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons in support of the wider battle against the coronavirus in an appeal issued Monday. He called the virus "the common enemy" now threatening all of humankind.

"The virus does not care about race or nationality, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly," he said.

"Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world. The most vulnerable－women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced－pay the highest price. They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19," he said.

"Let's not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed. Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted. Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable," he said.

The UN chief said he believes the world should strive to "end the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world. It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere－now". "It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives," he added.

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.