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1The Prime Minister 's letter will be sent to 30 million households , Number 10 said . Read it in_full here .
2I am writing to you to update you on the steps we are taking to combat coronavirus .
3In just a few short weeks , everyday life in this country has changed dramatically .
4We all feel the profound impact of coronavirus not just on ourselves , but on our loved ones and our communities .
5I understand completely the difficulties this disruption has caused to your lives , businesses and jobs .
6But the action we have taken is absolutely necessary , for one very simple reason .
7If too many people become seriously unwell at one time , the NHS will be unable to cope . This will cost lives .
8We must slow the spread of the disease , and reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment in_order to save as many lives as possible .
9That is why we are giving one simple instruction - you must stay at home . You should not meet friends or relatives who do not live in your home . You may only leave your home for very limited purposes , such_as buying food and medicine , exercising once a day and seeking medical attention . You can travel to_and_from work but should work from home if you can . When you do have to leave your home , you should ensure , wherever possible , that you are two metres apart from anyone outside_of your household .
10These rules must be observed . So , if people break the rules , the police will issue fines and disperse gatherings .
11I know many of you will be deeply worried about the financial impact on you and your family . The government will do whatever it takes to help you make ends meet and put food on the table .
12The enclosed leaflet sets out more detail about the support available and the rules you need to follow .
13You can also find the latest advice at gov.uk_<sol>_coronavirus
14From the start , we have sought to put in the right measures at the right time .
15We will not hesitate to go further if that is what the scientific and medical advice tells us we must do .
16It 's important for me to level with you - we know things will get worse before they get better . But we are making the right preparations , and the more we all follow the rules , the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal .
17I want to thank everyone who is working flat_out to beat the virus , in particular the staff in our fantastic NHS and care sector across England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
18It has been truly inspirational to see our doctors , nurses and other carers rise magnificently to the needs of the hour .
19Thousands of retired doctors and nurses are returning to the NHS - and hundreds of thousands of citizens are volunteering to help the most vulnerable .
20It is with that great British spirit that we will beat coronavirus and we will beat it together .
21That is why , at this moment of national emergency , I urge you , please , to stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives .
22Boris Johnson