Meadowhall issues coronavirus update after PM calls for 'drastic action'

The shopping centre put out a message last night to workers using the Meadowhall Mallcomm app.

It said: “We understand that this is a difficult time, and we want to reassure you that the wellbeing of customers, visitors and colleagues remains our priority.

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“Following the Prime Minister’s broadcast update this evening, Meadowhall will open tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17) whilst we consider the wider implications of the recent announcement. We will provide a further update tomorrow.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday called for everyone to stop ‘non-essential’ contact with others and cease all ‘unnecessary’ travel, with pubs, clubs, restaurants and venues best avoided.

People aged 70 or over, or with one of a range of underlying health conditions, including asthma and diabetes, were urged to be ‘particularly stringent’ in following social distancing measures, though no formal restrictions have yet been put in place.

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Mr Johnson said the UK was approaching the ‘fast growth part of the upward curve’ of the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease, and warned that ‘drastic action’ is necessary to prevent the number of cases from potentially doubling every five or six days.

Meadowhall remains open as normal but some retailers have already shut temporarily as a precaution, with both Apple and Urban Outfitters announcing over the weekend that they were closing their stores there until further notice.

The shopping centre has since issued a coronavirus update to members of the public.