UK Government Campaign Urges Public to ‘Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives’

Following the British prime minister Boris Johnson’s televised announcement on Monday, in which he imposed stricter measures to slow the spread of Covid-19, the NHS has launched the next phase of its public information campaign.

The prime minister addressed the country at the start of the week, describing the coronavirus as a “moment of national emergency”. He urged people to stay at home, listing the few circumstances in which it is acceptable for Britons to go out.

To further clarify these new measures, the NHS’s incumbent ad agency MullenLowe has created the next phase of the coronavirus campaign. The TV and social video components feature the chief medical officer, Chris Whitty addressing the country directly.

“To help save lives, stay at home,” he tells the camera. “Anyone can spread the coronavirus. You should now only go out when absolutely necessary – for food, medicine, work for exercise. Always try to stay two metres apart. Do not meet others outside your household, even friends or family.”

Actor Mark Strong voices the key slogan of the campaign at the end: “Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.”

The campaign will appear across print, out-of-home, social and digital channels.

MullenLowe worked across the strategy, creative and media for the project, including input from across the group including MullenLowe, MullenLowe Profero and Mediahub. Production was handled by Kode. Post production company CHEAT were also brought on for the project, working remotely from home to complete an overnight grade on the public information video.