We used to think of 21st March as the first day of spring, but the newspapers had the 20th March as the Spring Equinox. Magnolia are in flower as seen here in Stratton Way. It has been a cool sunny day so far.

R&R has closed, but a lot of the other coffee places are still open, and serving takeaway coffee. People were chatting as they drank coffee, trying to keep some social distance in the open air.

There is now only one charity shop open in Abingdon. The rest have closed. Acacia UK were due to open soon but will delay the opening.

Queues for the Boots pharmacy start before they open and continue throughout the day. The queue sometimes manages to keep a social distance and then people, after a while, can get talking and forget the government advice.

Abingdon Library seems to be the only public building open. Libraries were not one of the services told to close yesterday. Some Counties have closed their libraries, but not Oxfordshire County Council.

There was another dramatic government announcement today.

As a result gyms and leisure centres closed this evening. As have cinemas and theatres. The Abbey Cinema took the decision to close yesterday.

The White Horse Leisure Centre said ‘In line with Government instruction, we will be closing all of our Better Leisure Centres and Better Gyms across the UK at the end of Friday 20th March, 2020.’

‘The health and well-being of both our staff and valued customers is paramount. We have a social responsibility to everyone in the local community to take action to protect ourselves and others.’

Restaurants also closed this evening. Some will still provide a takeaway service.

The pubs closed. It was not like a normal Friday night and there were not a lot of people out. For people whose life revolves round the pub or gym it is going to be difficult.

Nobody knows when such businesses will reopen but the government will help by paying 80% of the wage bill so they have a better chance of reopening as going concerns.

Costa in Bury Street appeared to have removed its tables so that people can now only get take away drinks. Willows Shakeshop have closed ‘due to the coronavirus restrictions’ and ask customers to follow them on Facebook for updates.

There was a queue outside Boots, for the pharmacy, to get prescription, and pharmacy only drugs, or advice. Only a few people were being allowed inside at any one time. General shoppers appeared to be let in without such controls.

I was told that people can now only go into the doctors if they get a call to come in, and they are tested for symptoms before entry.

Avicenna Pharmacy was only allowing one person in at a time, and Jhoots Pharmacy only allowed three. So they both had queues outside.

Abingdon County Hall Museum has closed ‘due to the Coronavirus situation’.

Both Oxfam and the British Heart Foundation have closed all of their shops including the Abingdon ones.

The TSB in Abingdon has closed temporarily, but as it is due to close anyway that could be permanent.

Mostly Books are open, and are offering to deliver books free within a 5 mile radius.

Schools close from tomorrow for most pupils. The only pupils allowed to school will be the children of key workers, and pupils with Education and Health Care Plans.

Empty shelves have appeared in usually well stocked supermarkets in Abingdon. This supermarket in the town centre has sold out of toilet paper and kitchen rolls …

as well as paracetamols and other pain killers.

Some people could be stockpiling long-life food and cold remedies in preparation should they have to spend two weeks at home in self-isolation with Coronavirus. Others may just be stocking up as the shelves are emptying quickly and they don’t want to be caught short.