Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised a young girl for cancelling her birthday party because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Josephine, who turned seven this week, wrote to Mr Johnson to tell him she is “staying at home because you asked us to”.
The little girl, who lives in Stubbington, Hampshire, said she made the decision in the hope it will help prevent Covid-19 spreading further.
“I want to let you know it is my birthday today but I am staying at home because you asked us to,” Josephine said in her neatly penned letter.
“I think mummy and daddy might have to cancel my birthday party but I don’t mind because I want everyone to be ok.
“Please keep working hard to keep us all well. Are you remembering to wash your hands?”
(Image: @LocksHeathCC/Twitter)
Mr Johnson wrote back to Josephine on Saturday and posted his reply on his Twitter account.
He wrote: “Happy birthday! I am glad to hear you are staying at home, though I am sorry to hear about your party.
“We have all got to do our bit to protect the NHS and save lives, and that is exactly what you are doing, so well done! You are setting a great example.
“We are working round the clock to keep people safe, and if we work together we can send coronavirus packing. And once we have done that you can DEFINITELY have a party with your friends!
“In answer to your question – I’m regularly washing my hands with soap and water for 20 seconds: the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice!”
(Image: @BorisJohnson/Twitter)
Last night pubs, clubs, cafés and restaurants shut in the UK for the foreseeable future with schools also shutdown as the Government battles to contain the deadly virus.
Britons have already been warned against ‘all but essential travel’, while it’s also recommended people work from home wherever possible.
Anyone aged over 70 and/or with underlying health problems or vulnerabilities have been told to stay in strict isolation, while anyone with symptoms – a continuous cough or high temperature – should self-isolate for 14 days.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Johnson said: “The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice.
“And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.
“And so following agreement with all the … devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafés, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow.
“Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services
“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale.”
The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK had risen to 177 as of yesterday.
Patients who died from Covid-19 were aged between 50 and 99 and had underlying health conditions.
