The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations – the largest strictly Orthodox umbrella group - has circulated a new rabbinical order on coronavirus ordering the closure of all shuls, schools and other educational institutions.

In a Da’as Torah "publicised in accordance to government instructions due to the rapid spread of the disease" it is also stated that: "Shops that remain open to provide essential services should take great care to ensure the virus not spread by people’s close promiximity to each other."

After some in the Stamford Hill community did not head warnings about the virus, the UOHC added: "We call on every member of the community to reflect on their actions, to increase their tehillim and tefilla.."

There has previously been criticism of the UOHC’s own failure to treat the threat of Covid-19 with sufficient seriousness.

At the end of last week they circulated guidance saying women, children and “elderly and weaker men with health disabilities” should not go to synagogues, but it did not extend the advice to healthy men.

Schools and places of religious education should shut, the guidance said.

Speaking to The Guardian on Tuesday, Rabbi Avrohom Pinter, who lives in Stamford Hill, said most people were heeding the messages about physical distancing.

“The issue I’m concerned about it is that the government is, to a certain degree, abdicating responsibility. People need to be told.”

He also admitted that some in the community were not following advice but added: "I’m not quite sure why attention is falling on us."