Boris says police will enforce UK "stay home" rules

Same here in 6+ counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Washington state went to this late today, too. I'm surprised it didn't happen yet, but I guess it took a few days of idiots failing to social distance themselves before the governor resorted to it.

David, can you post a link? We did not get notice of this. We are "sheltering in place" and isolating ourselves but going out for neighborhood walks. Is that not OK? We see almost no one and those we do see observe the 6-foot rule by a wide margin.

https://mynorthwest.com/1782819/inslee-washington-stay-at-home-order/?

The "stay at home" order for Washington

Walking is ok

Inslee was clear to point out that it’s not the same as a “shelter in place” order. You’re still allowed to go outside, to the grocery store, and to do other essential business.

Lola, it seems that for most of us, it's merely a "hardening" of the same directives, but now with the force of law (rather than just a request/suggestion, as it has been previously). They're not looking to arrest anyone, just dialing up the pressure to stay home, and explicitly telling non-essential business to close up.

It's still OK to go for a walk (though the weather for the next week won't be as tempting as it was last week), still OK to go out to get groceries, etc. once in a while. So, for most responsible folks, not really any different than what we've been doing. But for the knuckleheads hanging out in groups in the parks...they may get some encouragement from the police to knock it off and GTF home.

We are wondering about the trails on Cougar and Squak mountains, off Highway 900. We hiked one last Thursday and saw a few couples and families, maybe 5-6 groups on all. But friends who went on the weekend said it was "really crowded". I am thinking we should avoid that under the current order and just walk in our own neighborhood. But I am having trouble convincing my husband . . .

Unfortunately Boris can claim all he likes but the reality is that Britain's police forces have been stretched beyond breaking point long before the Coronavirus pandemic (started during Teresa May's tenure as Home Secretary) and there is simply no way that enforcement of "stay home" rules can be undertaken. Police chiefs are already resorting to informing their officers that only crimes that are a threat to life should be dealt with so how the government think officers have the capacity to deal with suspected infringements of "stay home" rules is anyone's guess.

Fortunately, it would appear that the majority of people in my area that I've witnessed (and no doubt everywhere else in the UK) are sensible enough to abide by the rules. There will always be idiots who will do as they please but they're currently in the minority, even so they're still a minority that can't be dealt with by the police who are unable to deal with more serious crimes.

Unfortunately some people here are also not getting the message and refusing to follow the law - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/rnc-public-health-arrest-isolate-quarantine-1.5510514 . In this case, perhaps she will finally clue in after she receives a hefty fine and some time in prison!

Unfortunately, her behaviour is part of a larger problem - https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/virus-rebels-defying-travel-warnings-and-physical-distancing-measures-1.4864368 . Some people don't believe the rules and laws apply to them.