I'd say fear mongering. It's only been announced today and they've rushed a lockdown in London instead of 'in a week's time' like they've been doing before. Parts of Essex and Hertfordshire too I believe..
I was in London today funnily enough, people going about their business as usual.. A lot of traffic but that was down to the fact that office geniuses have decided to close the bus lanes to cars at all times instead of allowing them to use the bus lanes during the day..
Incompetence all round..