Enemy coronavirus: Atherstone butcher brings back wartime ration queues as customers asked to 'keep a reasonable distance'

The spirit of wartime Britain hit the streets of Atherstone this morning with shoppers asked to form an "orderly queue" outside a popular town centre business to help do their bit to beat the coronavirus enemy.

Bates Butchers heeded the advice of Boris Johnson by imposing a guideline on social distancing to its customers.

Last night the Prime Minister told pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants and bingo halls to close their doors "as soon as practicably possible" in a bid to slow down the Covid-19 virus which has claimed 177 lives in the UK.

The diktat came less than 48 hours from the country celebrating Mother's Day.

Today the Market Street butcher – a long-time favourite with the community – politely called for everyone to queue outside the shop "ongoing" – keeping a "reasonable distance apart".

Like a scene from the legendary BBC series Dad's Army with actor Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jones or a throwback to rationing queues during and after World War Two, the shop advised: "Only enter when you are next to be served."

Posting on social media, Bates of Atherstone thanked customers for their continued support and added: "Sorry for the wait."

The shop was expecting to stay open until 1pm today.

Atherstone joined with the rest of the country in watching tens of thousands of pubs, bars, restaurants and bingo halls in closing their doors last night as the Government battles to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

With scientists warning "social distancing" measures will have to stay in place for months to come, leisure centres, gyms and betting shops in North Warwickshire were left wondering when they would be able to open their doors again.

While he acknowledged the ban went against the "freedom-loving instincts" of the British people, he said it was essential to achieve the 75 per cent reduction in "unnecessary" social contacts required to reduce the rate of infection.

It was not clear exactly how the measures - backed by the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - will be enforced, although the Prime Minister indicated it could be done through the licensing system.

The move came as a further 39 people in England were confirmed to have died after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK death toll to 177.

Meanwhile economists have said the bill to taxpayers for the Government's unprecedented scheme to cover most of the wages of workers whose jobs are under threat from the outbreak could run to billions of pounds a month.

Editor's footnote: Keep a look-out for our new 'Living through coronavirus' information service which is will be taking shape over the weekend . . . and at this time of 'coming together' carry on visiting your local forums for any information you consider will help get you through this unprecedented situation.