After hearing Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s most recent and “ambigious” address to the U.K. in regards to an update on its COVID-19 lockdown situation, Little Britain star and comedian Matt Lucas has hit out against the Conservative leader.
Lucas, 46, took to Twitter on Sunday utilizing his best impersonation of the London-based politician, mocking him for the “confusing” “mixed messages” he sent about social distancing earlier that day.
In his video, Lucas joked,”So, we are saying, don’t go to work, go to work. Don’t take public transport, go to work, don’t go to work. Stay indoors. If you can work from home go to work, don’t go to work, go outside, don’t go outside.
“Then we will or won’t, something or other,” he concluded.
Since Johnson, 55, shared his message of “modified” social distancing steps, many U.K. citizens have been criticizing him for contradicting himself.
Despite telling the nation that the lockdown needs to continue and people need to continue distancing, Johnson simultaneously encouraged people “to go to work” and to go outside more to “local parks” for exercise.
Until now, people have been told only to exercise outdoors once a day and do so locally. Social distancing rules must still be obeyed, Johnson said, adding that fines would be increased for those who break them.
Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, however, said Johnson had raised more questions than he had answered and there was now the prospect of different parts of the United Kingdom pulling in different directions.
“What the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus, but we haven’t got either of those,” he said in a statement.
Others echoed Starmer’s dismay in response to Lucas’s parody video, adding their hopes that the situation will improve.
“This is actually clearer than what Johnson said,” joked one Twitter user.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
— With files from Reuters