On 16 March, the UK death toll rose to 55, with the number of cases of the illness passing 1,500. The deaths included the first to be reported in Wales. Also on 16 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised everyone in the UK against “non-essential” travel and contact with others, as well as suggesting people should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, and work from home if possible. Pregnant women, people over the age of 70 and those with certain health conditions were urged to consider the advice “particularly important”, and would be asked to self-isolate within days.
