Play all audios:
CORONAVIRUS: FABIAN PICARDO SAYS VIRUS IS A ‘HIDDEN KILLER’ Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced the extraordinary measures, which he described as the hardest decision of his career,
today, in the face of spiking numbers of cases in Spain, and ten in Gibraltar itself, and which include a ban on associating outdoors with anyone not living in the same household. And,
following on from his remarks yesterday, when he criticised "idiotic" young people for continuing to socialise, he warned officers would be empowered to act against anyone failing
to comply with the order to avoid congregating in groups and other infringements. Mr Picardo told reporters: "The time has come. RELATED ARTICLES "We have reached another difficult
moment in our work to slow down coronavirus COVID-19. "The Director of Public Health has now advised that as the virus is in the population, the best way to achieve the social
distancing required is to slow the disease to move to a total social lockdown." Regulations under the Civil Contingencies Act have therefore been signed by the Minister to provide for
the lockdown." Mr Picardo said the new regulations would come into force at midnight on Tuesday, "in order to give people and businesses time to adjust. Fabian Picardo has
announced a "total social lockdown" of Gibraltar (Image: GETTY) Fabian Picardo speaking today (Image: HM Government of Gibraltar) He said the new rules were in addition to existing
rules for over 70s, which remain unchanged. He added: "Agreeing to the making of these regulations has undoubtedly been the hardest decision I have had to make in my political career
so far." We will not hesitate to do what we have to do in order to slow the spread of the virus." READ MORE: LONDON LOCKDOWN - SADIQ KHAN WARNS POLICE MIGHT ENFORCE FULL LOCKDOWN
Cafes and restaurants may now only offer a takeaway service (Image: PA) RELATED ARTICLES THE MEASURES INCLUDE: * Closure of schools for all except the children of key workers * Closure of
all shops except supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies and chemists * Closure of all restaurants except as takeaway outlets * Closure of all commercial gyms Fabian Picardo during a visit
to London last year (Image: PA) In an acknowledgement of the unique difficulties Gibraltar, which has more than 8,500 residents square mile, faces, Mr Picardo said: "Our demographic
circumstances are different to most other nations. "And our rules are designed to take those aspects of life in Gibraltar into consideration. "Where necessary, we will review the
rules in coming days." "Please let us keep focused on slowing down this virus. DON'T MISS: SNP'S NHS CLAIMS WERE 'MOST SCANDALOUS DECEIT OF REFERENDUM'
[INSIGHT] LORD OWEN LIFTS LID ON HOW UK SOLD OUT ITS FISHERMEN: 'SCANDALOUS!' [EXCLUSIVE] EU CORONAVIRUS SNUB: BRUSSELS FINES ITALY £7MILLION DESPITE OUTBREAK [REVEALED]
Coronavirus breeding grounds (Image: Daily Express) Gibraltar's border with Spain (Image: GETTY) "Let us remember that failure is not the growth of the number of detected
infections." Failure is an unnecessary increase in the number of deaths." Mr Picardo added: "To each and every one of my fellow Gibraltarians, I say at this time, even if you
can do something under these rules, ask yourself if you should. "You are permitted to go to work, but can you work thematically instead? "You are permitted to go out for a purpose,
but can you can manage in a different way? Gibraltar factfile (Image: Daily Express) "Tomorrow, start using your common sense. "An invisible killer lurks amongst us and you can do
your bit to slow its passage through our city by observing these rules. "As from Tuesday morning, I am very sorry to say, the Royal Gibraltar Police will have power to enforce these
regulations. "We realise the heavy burden that will impose on our officers. "Please help them by not knowingly contradicting rules that we are putting in place to protect you and
your loved ones. CORONAVIRUS: GIBRALTAR RESIDENTS REACT TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK "This is about enhancing social distancing." There will be power to enforce these regulations by police
officers for these purposes." The stringent rules would be reviewed in 30 days' time, Mr Picardo said, and would be reconfirmed every 48 hours. He added: "It's time to
brace for the worst and hope or pray for the best. "These are measures we take with a heavy heart but for very good reason. "So help us throughout this process."