The First Day: 23 March 2020

The First Day: 23 March 2020 (6,650 confirmed infected, 335 died, in total)

"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction – you MUST stay at home." – Boris Johnson

Today just looks like any ordinary Mondays in London – crowds in the rush hours, sardine cans alike stuffed trains, strolling housewives in grocery shops – at least until the Prime Minister made his lockdown speech to the nation in the evening.

Most neighbouring countries have adopted a “lockdown” policy to some extent, since the COVID-19 coronavirus is highly infectious through contacts between people. Before a cure for the disease or a vaccine can be developed, the most efficient way to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly may be reducing all social contacts. Thinking of many other factors, the UK government has not yet declared a lockdown till today, attracted lots of criticism.

Sometimes you really cannot blame the government. The people’s attitude towards the epidemic is more determinative. Actually, medical experts and the Prime Minister have long urged everyone to work from home where possible and avoid non-essential travel and contact, but citizens in this megacity seem to be still indifferent to those advices. Not before a mandatory order will they change their normal course of life.

Schools were instructed to close in two days by an 18 March announcement, and all pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms were also closed from 20 March. Everyone knows a total lockdown is inevitably on the way. But before that, well, nothing is eligible to stop Londoners from enjoying a normal life.

The lockdown order was announced by the Prime Minister in the evening with immediate effect. It is said that more than 20 million people in the UK watched the video speech. Will people obey these rules? How much will these rules change London? When can this great and time-tested city return to normal? There are too many uncertainties ahead, but one thing is certain: this unique city has begun to write an unusual lock-down story since tonight.

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