Implement UK lockdown for preventing spread of COVID19
The Parliament petitions site records 409,474 signatures for this petition, which closed on 12 September 2020. The Government responded on 19 March 2020.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Implement UK lockdown for preventing spread of COVID19
The UK needs to follow suit the containment procedures of countries that have been greatly affected by COVID19 such as Italy.
The UK should restrict unnecessary travel between towns and cities. Travel permitted should only be for work or emergencies. Public gatherings should also be discouraged.
It is time the government should prioritise the health of the public and should consider how vital it is to implement effective containment now.
It is better to spend money to contain the virus and treating the relatively low numbers who are ill now rather than wait for more casualties.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 19 March 2020; the petitions site lists the Department of Health and Social Care as responsible. Its summary:
We understand the public’s concern and are doing everything we can to combat the outbreak. We will continue to evolve our response based on the latest and best scientific and medical advice.
The opening 399 words of the 729-word response:
It is absolutely critical in managing the spread of this virus that we take the right decisions at the right time, based on the best evidence available.
On 3 March, the Government launched its coronavirus (COVID-19) action plan: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan/coronavirus-action-plan-a-guide-to-what-you-can-expect-across-the-uk. This plan has two overriding aims: to protect the NHS by building it up and flattening the curve of coronavirus cases; and to protect life by safe guarding those who are most vulnerable.
Since this petition started the Government has made a number of significant announcements which are set out below. We will continue to adapt the response to follow the best scientific advice.
On 16 March Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock announced a ‘Stay at Home’ policy. This is a social-distancing model for the general public with more home-working and less social interaction.
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults has been published on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults.
This guidance is particularly important for people over 70 years old, pregnant women, and those with some health conditions. It advises on the social distancing measures we should all take to reduce our social interaction in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19):
Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible
Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic.
The Government advises those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. This group includes those who are:
aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
Read the full response on the petitions site.
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies on the boundaries used until the 2024 general election. The largest number, 3,849, came from Poplar and Limehouse.
406,898 of the signatures were from the UK and 2,576 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Poplar and Limehouse | 3,849 |
| West Ham | 3,140 |
| Bethnal Green and Bow | 3,022 |
| Hammersmith | 2,929 |
| Bermondsey and Old Southwark | 2,752 |
| Tottenham | 2,677 |
| Hampstead and Kilburn | 2,632 |
| Brent Central | 2,579 |
| Ealing Central and Acton | 2,510 |
| Westminster North | 2,351 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 110,388 |
| South East | 45,836 |
| North West | 34,521 |
| East of England | 34,438 |
| Scotland | 32,523 |
| South West | 26,282 |
| West Midlands | 25,993 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 24,232 |
| East Midlands | 21,118 |
| Wales | 20,722 |
| North East | 11,189 |
| Northern Ireland | 6,789 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on .
The Petitions Committee's summary of the debate:
Because it has not been possible to debate this petition to date, and the issues raised by this petition have been acted on by the Government and considered by the Committee and in the House of Commons in other ways, the Committee has agreed not schedule this petition for debate.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/301397.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
fe289c3b6b4a77f7… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.