The measures include people staying at home except for very limited purposes, the closure of non essential shops and community spaces and preventing gatherings of more than 2 people in public, except for members of the same household.
These measures should be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for people or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "These are challenging times for our city. Families have sadly lost loved ones before time and I want to send them my deepest condolences and sympathies. Other families are experiencing isolation – grandparents unable to be with their grandkids – it’s hard but it’s absolutely the right thing to do if we are going to protect our most vulnerable and our loved ones.
"But while these are difficult times, I know our city will get through them. And that’s where we need your help – by staying at home and keeping in touch with family and friends by videocall and phones, rather than face to face."
John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: "When we reduce our day to day contact with other people, we reduce the spread of the infection, and that is why we all need to follow the Government's social distancing measures.
"It's heartening to see that so many individuals, families and businesses are complying with the guidance to the letter, and I thank every one of them for the sacrifices they are making at this difficult time.
"However, it is vitally important that everybody – and that means all of us – follow these measures if they are to be effective.
“It's estimated that, if someone with coronavirus carries on as before, with no restrictions on social contact, they will infect 2 or 3 people within 5 days - and after 30 days, over 400 more people would be infected.
"That's why social distancing is so important, and why following the rules will keep people safe and save lives."
People should only leave the house:
- To shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- For 1 form of exercise a day, for instance a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household
- For any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- To travel to and from work, but only where work cannot be done from home, or to take children to and from school if parents are classed as 'critical workers'
The Government has ordered non essential businesses and public spaces to be closed, including pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, non essential shops, markets (excluding food markets), libraries, community centres and youth centres, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, communal places within parks (such as playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms), places of worship, hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks.
The Government has banned all public gatherings of more than 2 people, except where they are from the same household or where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace.
All social events, including weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies, have been stopped. Funerals continue, but can only be attended by immediate family members.
Mr Denley added: “We are only a few days into these measures, and we appreciate how hard the coming period is going to be for everyone in Wolverhampton, particularly for our most vulnerable residents.
“With our partners, we will protect as many people as we can from coronavirus, and support those who need us most.
“Our city will beat this – but we’ve got to pull together. Ultimately, the single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives."
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at NHS - Advice for everyone.
