UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced strict lockdown measures across Britain in his address to the nation this evening.
The PM shared the latest steps being taken by the government to slow the spread of the disease, which Mr Johnson described as the "invisible killer".
All non-essential shops are to close, gatherings of more than two people will be stopped and all social events, including weddings, will be banned.
However, exceptions include shopping for basic necessities, exercising once a day and providing care or helping a vulnerable person.
Boris Johnson added that workers can travel to and from work but only where necessary.
To "ensure compliance" the government are ordering shops selling non-essential items to close, as well as libraries, outdoor gyms and places of worship.
Parks are to remain open for exercise but police will have the powers to disperse gatherings and issue fines.
The tougher restrictions will be up for review in three weeks' time.
He said: "To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately: close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship; we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.
"Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.
"No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.
"I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.
"And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.
"And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
"But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost."
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the measures will apply in Scotland.
“Lives depend on all of us complying. These are rules to be followed to protect yourselves, your community, and NHS.
“Later this week emergency legislation will give us powers of enforcement and we will use those powers if necesssary," she said.
The measures come after those who "face the highest risk of being hospitalised by coronavirus” were told to stay home for 12 weeks.
Earlier today Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also urged UK travellers overseas to come home "while you still can".
The emergency legislation aims to curb the spread of coronavirus as the UK death toll reaches 335 - with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirming four more deaths in Scotland today.
There have been 83,945 tests to date across the UK, with 6,650 confirmed cases.
In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has come under increasing pressure to take more drastic actions to contain the spread of the virus.
On Friday, the government ordered all pubs , restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, theatres and gyms across Britain to close their doors - though takeaway services were excluded.
The public were also urged to cut non-essential contact and stay at home in a bid to "protect the NHS and save lives".
However, crowds descended on the Pentland Hills and beaches in East Lothian over the weekend, with similar scenes reported across the country as people ignored pleas for social distancing.
This led to Boris Johnson announcing he would lockdown the UK within hours if the public refused to heed warnings to stay two meters apart outdoors.
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