The final day of our Countdown to Lockdown series is here, on March 23. On this day five years ago, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson sat in a Downing Street office to address the nation telling them "you must stay home".
As CornwallLive has been revisiting the headlines which our reporters covered from the time, the PM's address to the nation is one of the most memorable.
"The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades," he said, before laying out the slim circumstances in which people would be allowed to leave their houses.
From the initial reports from Asia and then Europe of the spreading virus, to the governmental response, the news coming through daily formed the backdrop to the tragic news of more than 232,000 deaths within a couple of years. Anyone whose loved ones died with Covid and complications related to the virus will live with the memory of those times and their grief forever.
For the rest of us, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic - and response - are still being felt across the globe, as governments continue efforts behind the scenes to arrest the spread of any similar incidents in the future.
Here's how CornwallLive reported the Covid news on March 23, 2020.
UK in coronavirus 'lockdown' as people ordered to stay at home
The UK is on 'lockdown' as serious new measures are introduced in a bid to tackle coronavirus. People have been told to stay in their homes, unless they are key workers and need to travel to do their jobs.
Others can only leave their home for food shopping, exercise and medical care - not to meet friends or family members who don't live in their home. Following on from many other European countries, people will now only leave their homes to carry out essential tasks, such as shopping for food or picking up medicine.
In a televised address to the nation about how vital it is to stop coronavirus spreading, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said if “too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it – meaning more people are likely to die”.
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Five new coronavirus cases in Cornwall after two more people die
Five new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Cornwall on the day that two more people died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The latest cases bring the total number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the county to 25.
Earlier, NHS England confirmed two coronavirus deaths at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust in the last 24 hours. This took the overall figure for the county to seven deaths.
Second home owners and holidaymakers told to stay away during coronavirus outbreak
Second home owners and holidaymakers were urged to stay away from the South West as our health services came under increasing pressure. Health bosses pleaded for visitors not to travel after it emerged that people were coming to Devon and Cornwall to self-isolate.
Over the weekend, many simply ignored the Government's plea for people to stay at home and follow the social distancing guidelines. Seating areas at popular beauty spots and cafes were packed full of people wanting to make the most of the nice weather.
A Royal Cornwall Hospitals spokesperson said: “We would urge people not to use social distancing as a reason to come to Cornwall."
Dad who once lived on the streets offers self-isolation shelters to the homeless
A dad who knew first-hand what it's like to live on the streets reached out to offer shelter to the homeless. Daniel Smith, of Liskeard, offered two places of shelter - his unused garage and a shed with electricity - because he knows what it is like to “have nothing”.
Dan, who was 34, and lived with his partner Gemma Williams, then 31, and their four children, was placed in foster care when he was 10. He spent his teen years in short-term foster placements because of his age and, as he got older, he ended up on the streets.
He said at his lowest times even his own family would have to turn him away when he needed a place to shelter.
Tourists and boat owners asked to stay away from the Isles of Scilly
Visitors and owners of recreational boats have been asked to stay away from the Isles of Scilly during the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement, Dale Clark, St Mary’s harbour master, said that mariners are advised that all yachts and other recreational vessels should not travel to the Isles of Scilly during the crisis.
He said: “This disease affects us all and has placed significant restrictions on how we function on a day-to-day basis and we ask that you postpone your visit to the islands until such time that the threat from COVID-19 disease is much reduced.”
The Council of the Isles of Scilly also shared similar advice over the weekend.
Cornish Birds of Prey Centre issues plea for help from public to feed animals
The owner of a centre which rehomes and rehabilitates injured and unwanted birds appealed for urgent help after its insurance company said it would not pay out 'Business Interruption' as apparently it doesn't cover pandemics.
Kelly Grigg, owner of the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, in Winnards Perch, St Columb, admitted that she is "very concerned" about the future of the business. On a GoFundMe page set up to receive donations, she wrote: "At the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, we are passionate about providing a caring home for mistreated, unwanted, injured and neglected birds of prey whether from private owners or from the wild."
Five-star Gwel an Mor lodges closes due to coronavirus
A five-star resort in Cornwall became one of the latest tourism businesses to announce a closure due to coronavirus. Gwel an Mor lodges at Portreath announced on March 23 that it would "remain closed until April 20".
Holidaymakers who have booked between March 23 and April 20 were told they could change their dates.
A spokesperson said: “It is with great regret and a heavy heart we will be temporarily closing the resort to holidaymakers following instruction from the Prime Minister today that advice must be followed in regard to essential travel."
Hero Riley, aged just 7, makes deliveries to elderly self-isolating neighbours
A 7-year-old boy joined the growing list of heroes offering their time and energy to look after the most vulnerable in the community during the coronavirus crisis. Riley Rivett, from Pendeen near Penzance, offered to walk to his nearby shop, and pick up and deliver groceries to the elderly and housebound who live close by.
His mother, Nicole, said that Riley first became concerned about his neighbours when she explained that some of his friends’ grandparents would have to stay indoors for the next few weeks to avoid catching the virus. As he worried how these elderly people would get their milk and bread, Nicole assured Riley that she could always pick up shopping for them while she was in Penzance, where she works each day.
Revisit the amazing efforts of Riley here.
Treliske doctor pleads with visitors to Cornwall to self-isolate to save lives
A doctor working on the front line of the health service in Cornwall has launched a campaign asking visitors to Cornwall to self-isolate when they arrive. Lucy Obolensky, who lives in Polzeath and works in the emergency department at Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, was shocked by the number of people visiting the county this weekend.
She said she was very concerned that Cornwall’s health services will not be able to cope in the coming days.
She said: “People are clearly not following government advice about not travelling to Cornwall. So, we’re asking all those people who do come to please stay in their holiday home or holiday accommodation when they arrive and self-isolate for seven days."
Cornwall farmers continue to keep the nation fed during coronavirus
It was business as usual for one sector of the economy as the Covid-19 pandemic increasingly forces people indoors. Farmers were out sowing their summer crops and milking their cows as normal to keep the rest of the country fed.
Farmers, like fishermen, were considered key workers as they needed to keep food levels up. Chris Cardell a dairy farmer near Grampound, near Truro, said the industry is shifting toward the home market rather than the food service industry after pubs, bars, restaurants were all asked to close down by the government.
Cornish food store to deliver in a 10-mile radius to help isolated
A shop in Truro started a delivery service to help the isolated and vulnerable in a 10-mile radius of its base. The Great Cornish Food Store, next to Waitrose, started its home-delivery service on Friday, March 20, to help customers continue to receive produce through the current coronavirus pandemic.
The delivery service will be offered initially to customers within a 10-mile radius of the store, taking in addresses from Penryn and St Agnes, and from Sticker to Ruan High Lanes on the Roseland, for example.
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce boss says second home visit ban is a 'difficult conundrum'
The chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce said effectively banning people from visiting their second homes during the coronavirus pandemic was "tricky". Kim Conchie said he believes many people who own second or holiday homes will ignore the Government's latest advice and instead make the journey to self-isolate there.
The Government urged people to only travel if their journey is necessary. Mr Conchie described the situation as a "difficult conundrum".
"They're second homes, people's property, so to tell someone they can't visit their own home is pretty dire. I imagine many people will give two fingers to that, saying 'I'm going to self-isolate in my second home'."
Vegan gives tips and advice on making your own milk after shortages
As supermarket shelves were cleared of essential supplies one of Cornwall’s vegan advocates shared how you can make a basic dairy-free milk at home. Jacqui Robins, who lived in Probus with her family, had been vegan for almost three years.
But now at a time when people were uniting during the coronavirus pandemic she said vegans and non-vegans were offering up support and working together to make sure everyone has what they need. She said that oat milk is one of the simplest at home milks to make and most people have the basic ingredients in the kitchen cupboard, but that cashews can also be an easy alternative.
Cornwall's top tourism boss issues clear message to second-home owners and tourists
Cornwall's top tourism boss spoke of the support he had received after sharing a defiant message urging visitors and second-home owners to stay away. Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said he thinks the Prime Minister cleared up any confusion by declaring that "essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays".
It came as CornwallLive, DevonLive and PlymouthLive launched a #ComeBackLater campaign urging people not to travel to the South West.
Trago Mills confirms it is temporarily closing its stores
Discount retailer Trago Mills said it would be temporarily closing its stores from 8pm on Tuesday (March 24) "until further notice". A statement from the company's chairman Bruce Robertson said the decision had been reached in order to keep staff and customers safe during the coronavirus outbreak which is having an impact on the UK.
"To safeguard the wellbeing of our staff and customers alike Trago will close temporarily from 8pm on Tuesday 24 March 2020 until further notice," Mr Robertson said.
"We will follow the latest government advice and hope that together we may beat the virus in the least possible time. Further information will be available from 9am Tuesday 24 March at www.trago.co.uk. Stay safe, keep well."
Wales bring in measures to close caravan parks
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus in the country, including closing caravan parks, campsites, tourist hotspots and popular beauty spots. It followed scenes over the weekend which saw large numbers of people travelling to locations such as these along with other tourist hotspots.
Similar concerns were expressed in Devon and Cornwall after hundreds of people went to these types of locations to make the most of the hot weather. The latest UK Government advice was to only make journeys if they are "essential".
Empty streets show how the people of Truro are doing the right thing following isolation advice
It’s an eerie sight – the usually bustling shopping streets of Truro were completely empty on the morning of Monday, March 23, 2020, following advice for people to stay at home. It's a double-edged sword, the empty streets are a terrible blow for retailers, many of whom have already shut up shop, but also a welcome sight in the bid to beat the spread of coronavirus.
Although there was yet to be a complete lockdown announced by the Government, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Public Health England have urged people to stay at home as COVID-19 spreads throughout the country. There had been concerns over the weekend at the number of visitors pouring into Cornwall, with MPs and at least one emergency department doctor at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, urging people not to come to a county which only has one major hospital and a high percentage of vulnerable elderly residents.
Campers clogging up Cornish towns after holiday parks close
Caravans and motor homes which have been turfed out of holiday parks are now clogging up residential streets - and there’s little Cornwall Council can do about it. After holiday parks shut their gates over the weekend - following a backlash against people who had decided to come to Cornwall during the coronavirus crisis - there have been reports of people setting up camp in residential streets.
Councillor Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport, said the council’s powers were limited in what it could do to tackle the problem.
Stark plea from man in Cornwall widowed by coronavirus
A Cornish MP shared a message from a constituent who lost his wife to coronavirus in a bid to make people "think about the things you are doing". Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, was asked by the man to “do your utmost to get these total idiots off our streets and spare another family our horrendous ordeal”.
Sharing the plea on social media, Mr Double said: “I have just received this message from a constituent. Please read it. It moved me to tears.
"If this does not at least make you stop and think about the things you are doing I'm afraid you have no heart. Our mission should be to do everything we can to make sure no family has to go through this due to our selfishness or stupidity.
Other CornwallLive headlines on March 23, 2020
- Boris Johnson announced that Britain had entered lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Prime Minister told the public "you must stay at home" following a Cobra meeting - adding that police will be able to step in if the rules are not followed. People were allowed outside only to shop for basic necessities, to take one form of exercise a day, any medical need, and travelling to and from work when absolutely necessary.
- The armed forces were to be drafted in to help manage and distribute supplies to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC there had been “challenges” with the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), while NHS England said the army would “play its part”
- Teachers were prepared for a “challenging” situation amid concerns more pupils than expected could turn up on Monday despite schools being officially closed as the UK fights to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Department for Education urged parents to keep their children at home unless their work is deemed “critical” to the country’s response to Covid-19 and they had no other childcare option.
- Costa and Nando's became the latest retailers to close after Starbucks, McDonald's and Primark. Pret A Manger, Topshop, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, HMV, Waterstones, Patisserie Valerie, Timpsons and John Lewis also closed all branches.
- All jury trials in England and Wales were put on hold as part of ongoing efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19. In a statement, the Lord Chief Justice said no new trials will start and that ongoing trials will be paused while arrangements wee put in place so they can continue safely.
- Train companies in England started operating a reduced service in order to provide a more reliable service for key worker “heroes” such as emergency services and healthcare professionals. The Department of Transport (DoT) said “core services” would run, ensuring people could travel to medical appointments and to allow vital goods – food and fuel – to be shipped around the country where needed.
- ITV was forved to make changes to their morning schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Lorraine and Loose Women's live shows both axed for the foreseeable future. ITV said that this was to reduce the amount of staff coming into the studios on a daily basis.
- A mum detailed how her six-month-old baby came down with Covid-19. Baby Gruff, six months old, ran a temperature so high mum Laura Pearson thought her thermometer must be broken.
- BBC Radio 4 broadcast five episodes of The Archers each week, instead of the usual six, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the closure of theatres, cinemas and galleries, Saturday Review was not going to air “for the time being”.
- The National Crime Agency warned that organised crime groups may try to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to target the UK. Cyber-crime investigators saw instances of coronavirus-themed malicious apps and websites, as well as email phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
- ITV presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were forced to host Saturday Night Takeaway without an audience amid the coronavirus pandemic. Advice from the government to avoid unnecessary travel and social contact with others meant the show was forced to scrap the audience for the very first time.
- Sandwich chain Subway closed all UK branches from 5pm on Monday, March 23, in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. The fast food chain was the latest to make the move.
- The government has published guidance on the export and hoarding of restricted medicines to ensure there was an uninterrupted supply of medicines for NHS hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
- A 28-year-old survivor of coronavirus revealed how the disease felt like a 'car crash' that left him unable to move. Mark Stubbs, from London, was left with liver damage and said that he 'nearly died' after contracting Covid-19.
- Debenhams closed its high street stores on March 23, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak. The likes of Primark, New Look, H&M and Zara also shut doors until further notice, while high street department store John Lewis announced it would be closing stores last week.
- Joe Wicks' live workout on YouTube welcomed over 800,000 families for its first broadcast on March 23, 2020. The Body Coach hosted live PE classes every day to keep the nation fit as schools across the UK shut in a bid to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
- Boris Johnson said he was "actively considering further steps" to help self-employed workers through the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, Downing Street said. Trade unions had said more financial help is urgently needed for the five million self-employed workers.
- Three teenagers were arrested after allegedly coughing at an elderly couple were in the street in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Three males aged 16, 18 and 19 were questioned on suspicion of actual bodily harm, affray and criminal damage after the incident.
- Morrisons reduced its fuel prices by 12p per litre for petrol and 8p per litre for diesel, describing the move as “the biggest fuel price reduction in recent times”. Oil prices plunged in recent weeks since Covid-19 took hold across Europe.
- Ann Summers has closed all its stores and agreed to give staff full pay until at least the end of April as it continued to trade online. B&Q and Screwfix stores remained open with social distancing in stores.
- People who are ignoring social distancing advice to stay two metres apart are “very selfish”, the Health Secretary said. In a sign that the UK could be moving towards greater lockdown, Matt Hancock said the Government was willing to take “more action” if needed to stop coronavirus from spreading.
- Virgin Media gave customers the Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network channels for free. As schools are closed across the UK, the popular kids channels were made available to watch with no additional subscription fee required.
- NHS workers were offered free car parking at more than 150 NCP car parks during the coronavirus crisis. NCP's gesture was initially forecast to go until the end of April, when it said it would 'review the situation'.
- Supermarket Morrisons launched a new next-day delivery scheme for food and essentials in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Shoppers trying to get online deliveries found waits of up to three or four weeks for a slot, so Morrisons launched a service with a catch - you didn't get to choose what you ordered.
- NHS England confirmed that a further 46 people had died in England from coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 303. Patients were aged between 47 and 105 years old and all had underlying health conditions.
- McDonald's customers formed huge queues to grab one last take-out before UK restaurants closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Ahead of the 7pm closure deadline on March 23, 2020, dozens of drivers across Birmingham flocked to their nearest drive-through to get their hands on one last meal.
- The UK's supermarket websites collapsed under the weight of thousands of people trying to book online shopping deliveries after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK on lockdown. All shops, except food shops and pharmacies, were shut down and people were only allowed to leave the house for a limited number of reasons.
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 11, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 12, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 13, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 14, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 15, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 16, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 17, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 18, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 19, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 20, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 21, 2020
Countdown to lockdown: Covid in Cornwall's news on March 22, 2020
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