Brits are defying a call for social distancing by hitting the pubs and restaurants for "one last night of freedom".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the closure of pubs, restaurants, shops, nightclubs, theatres, gyms and leisure centres from today to slow the spread of Covid-19 and prevent the NHS coming under unsustainable pressure.
But pub-goers appeared reluctant to give up on their social habits just yet - despite almost two weeks of the government and NHS staff pleading with people to stay at home.
Today the death toll in Italy reached 4,032 with 627 people dying in a single day.
After hearing the pubs across the UK will close at 10pm, one person wrote on Twitter : "The last night of freedom is upon us, gutted heartbroken and disappointed are just 3 words to describe how I’m feeling, let’s get wrecked for one last time tonight."
And another person wrote online: "I’m guessing everyone has found a pub to spend their last night of freedom then."
Despite warnings to Brits they could put others' lives in danger, they flouted the rules and pictures of people spilling out of bars, clubs and nightclubs flooded social media.
Angry viewers criticised the move calling boozers 'dangerous and irresponsible'.
One person wrote: "Shocking isn’t it!? Some London pubs are packed. Dangerous irresponsible idiocy."
And another user added: "Local pub packed .... not a brain cell in there. But PM won’t tell them that. Because he’s one of them."
People are also calling to boycott JD Wetherspoons after CEO Tim Martin slammed the government as 'over the top' despite the chief scientific officer for England, Chris Whitty, branding them as breeding grounds for the virus.
Mr Martin, 64, also said chances of recovery are so good he would opt to catch the virus, adding "'If someone offered me the opportunity now to have it under supervised conditions, I think I'd probably take it because your chances are very, very good."
He told Sky that supermarkets were more likely to spread Covid-19 claiming pubs are much less crowded. "Supermarkets are very, very crowded. Pubs are much less crowded.
"There's hardly been any transmission of the virus within pubs and I think it's over the top to shut them," he added.
There is absolutely no evidence to support his claims about transmission.
Since the announcement however the Wetherspoon pub chain said it would comply with Mr Johnson's announcement.
When asked by reporters how the ban would be enforced, he said "clearly there are licensing arrangements which will make it relatively simple to do should that really be necessary".
He said the ban would be enforced "strictly" but stopped short of elaborating on measures that could be taken other than possibly indicating that revoking licences may be an option.
Coronavirus can be spread at a distance of roughly 1.5 metres with sneezing and coughing a partiucarly quick way of transmission. It can also be transferred by shaking hands or just being stood next to each other.
Today the schools were closed 'until further notice' across the UK and Londoners were urged to only travel if absolutely necessary.
At his daily Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said the measures were needed to reduce "unnecessary" social gatherings by 75% in order to have an impact on the infection rate.
"The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice," he said.
"And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday.
"We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us."
He was followed by Chancellor Rushi Sunak who said he was establishing a coronavirus job protection scheme to help employers hit by the outbreak.
He said that they would be able to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to cover 80% of the wages of staff they keep on up to £2,500 a month.
Mr Sunak said "our planned economic response will be one of the most comprehensive in the world".
He added: "To all those at home, right now anxious about the days ahead, I say you will not face this alone."
It followed criticism that his £350 billion emergency support package for the economy earlier this week concentrated on businesses but did little for their staff.
