duty.”
In the event of a serious outbreak it said police services will respond only to serious crimes and maintaining
public order should large numbers of police officers become sick.
The Ministry of Defence has also been put on standby with plans in place to support civil authorities if
needed, the document said.
Under a so-called “social distancing” policy to delay the spread of the outbreak, the plan confirms the
government will consider school closures, home working, and reducing large gatherings like football
matches and concerts. It added the government will attempt to ensure “the country’s ability to continue to
run as normally as possible”. HM Revenue and Customs will also give businesses, on a case by case basis,
more time to pay bills should there be a cash-flow problem due to falling demand.