BOURNEMOUTH town centre appeared a lot quieter than normal, the first day after new measures were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Car parks in and around central Bournemouth are around half as busy as they usually would be mid-morning on a Tuesday.

Many people have still gone into work and there was rush hour traffic this morning, but it was more like a school holiday commute to work for many.

Meanwhile, a number of businesses in the town centre have new signs in the windows – to assure shoppers precautionary measures have been taken to protect them and their staff.

At Boots staff on the tills are even wearing surgical gloves.

Visitors are walking in the gardens and on the beach, including many older residents who appear to be aged 70 and above.

Bournemouth resident Peter Williamson told the Echo: "I think a lot of people simply don't have any choice but to come out to work.

"Not everyone has the technology nor the knowhow to work from home.

"Others simply cannot do their work from home – I mean there are lads putting up scaffolding on the next street. What are they meant to be doing?"

Another shopper said: "I thought I'd come to town, maybe have a walk along the beach, before we are not able to .

"The situation is changing fast. Who knows what the future will be?"