Boris Johnson told the UK public they “must stay at home” during an unprecedented three-week lockdown as he announced wide-ranging restrictions on movement.
In a TV address to the nation at 8.30pm on Monday, the prime minister said police would disperse any gatherings of more than two people unless they were living together.
Only essential trips to the shops, daily exercise, and travel to work or for medical needs will be allowed.
All social events apart from funerals are banned and ”non-essential” shops, leisure facilities and public buildings will close to slow the spread of coronavirus.
It came after scientists urged the government to do more to prevent excess coronavirus deaths and followed reports that large numbers of the public were flouting government advice on social distancing.
Meanwhile the Foreign Office told British tourists and travellers who are still abroad to get home quickly while flights are still available, and MPs debated emergency laws which would allow police to detain and isolate anyone they suspected of being infected with Covid-19. Some 336 people have now died in the UK, aged between 18 and 105.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are also in doubt after the IOC announced it was considering postponing the games until 2021. And in the US, Donald Trump has been lambasted by state leaders for his response to the pandemic. One told him: “Get off Twitter and do your job.”
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
Back on the beat
Retired police officers could return to the beat under government plans, Priti Patel has said.
The home secretary said: "I can absolutely categorically say that the work is already taking place across government in terms of suspending the particular tax and pensions disincentives, because they are disincentives at this time of crisis and national emergency.
"We want to make sure that retired police officers for example can come back and join the force and join the service. I've specifically asked HMRC and the tax man to look at that and they are doing that right now."
Retired police officers could return to the beat under government plans, Priti Patel has said.
The home secretary said: "I can absolutely categorically say that the work is already taking place across government in terms of suspending the particular tax and pensions disincentives, because they are disincentives at this time of crisis and national emergency.
"We want to make sure that retired police officers for example can come back and join the force and join the service. I've specifically asked HMRC and the tax man to look at that and they are doing that right now."
Hello again.
Crackdown threatened
Boris Johnson has said that “tougher measures” may have to be imposed to tighten social distancing rules because of members of the public “heedlessly” congregating in parks and other open spaces in a way that risks spreading coronavirus, write Andrew Woodcock and Lizzy Buchan.
In his latest daily press conference at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister even suggested that curfews and restrictions on movement – as seen in nations like Italy – could be needed to control the outbreak, which has already claimed 281 lives in the UK.
More draconian measures could come shortly, the prime minister suggested, with No 10 considering the next move “very actively over the next 24 hours”.
Boris Johnson has said that “tougher measures” may have to be imposed to tighten social distancing rules because of members of the public “heedlessly” congregating in parks and other open spaces in a way that risks spreading coronavirus, write Andrew Woodcock and Lizzy Buchan.
In his latest daily press conference at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister even suggested that curfews and restrictions on movement – as seen in nations like Italy – could be needed to control the outbreak, which has already claimed 281 lives in the UK.
More draconian measures could come shortly, the prime minister suggested, with No 10 considering the next move “very actively over the next 24 hours”.
Primark closing
Fast fashion retailer Primark is closing all of its stores around the world - and is on track to lose £650m in net sales per month.
The high street chain will stop placing new orders with suppliers, its parent company said on Monday as the coronavirus crisis deepened.
"A variety of work streams have been established to mitigate the effect of the contribution lost from these sales and all expenditure is being reviewed," Associated British Foods said.
Fast fashion retailer Primark is closing all of its stores around the world - and is on track to lose £650m in net sales per month.
The high street chain will stop placing new orders with suppliers, its parent company said on Monday as the coronavirus crisis deepened.
"A variety of work streams have been established to mitigate the effect of the contribution lost from these sales and all expenditure is being reviewed," Associated British Foods said.
Jury trials suspended
After insisting for some days that court proceedings would, well, proceed as normal, the government has now suspended all jury trials.
Chiara Giordano has more:
After insisting for some days that court proceedings would, well, proceed as normal, the government has now suspended all jury trials.
Chiara Giordano has more:
Rail bail-out
The UK is taking emergency measures to help its rail network survive a 70-per-cent drop in riders.
The government said on Monday it would temporarily suspend rail franchise agreements and instead pay train companies a small fee to keep some services running.
Rail and bus firms said that the pandemic had prevented them from forecasting any profits this year.
Britons have been urged to work from home where possible.
The UK is taking emergency measures to help its rail network survive a 70-per-cent drop in riders.
The government said on Monday it would temporarily suspend rail franchise agreements and instead pay train companies a small fee to keep some services running.
Rail and bus firms said that the pandemic had prevented them from forecasting any profits this year.
Britons have been urged to work from home where possible.
Tokyo 2020 in doubt
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will not be cancelled, games chief Yoshiro Mori has said, but "postponement" is one of a number of scenarios being considered by organisers, writes Adam Withnall.
Mr Mori said Japan was "not considering cancelling the Olympics at all", saying plans for the start of the Olympic torch relay on 26 March would go ahead.
Organisers will monitor the coronavirus pandemic for four weeks before making a decision on how to proceed, he said, with postponement among a number of options.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will not be cancelled, games chief Yoshiro Mori has said, but "postponement" is one of a number of scenarios being considered by organisers, writes Adam Withnall.
Mr Mori said Japan was "not considering cancelling the Olympics at all", saying plans for the start of the Olympic torch relay on 26 March would go ahead.
Organisers will monitor the coronavirus pandemic for four weeks before making a decision on how to proceed, he said, with postponement among a number of options.
More financial aid released around the world
The Philippines has approved a £5bn economic programme to fight coronavirus.
In a statement, the central bank said it would buy government securities to help the government's projects to counter the impact of the virus, which has killed 33 people and infected at least 462 in the country.
Meanwhile, Qatar is to send £128m aid to Gaza over the next six months in support of UN humanitarian work.
The Philippines has approved a £5bn economic programme to fight coronavirus.
In a statement, the central bank said it would buy government securities to help the government's projects to counter the impact of the virus, which has killed 33 people and infected at least 462 in the country.
Meanwhile, Qatar is to send £128m aid to Gaza over the next six months in support of UN humanitarian work.
Iran rejects US aid
Iran has rejected an American offer of humanitarian aid to help fight coronavirus, instead demanding that stringent economic sanctions be lifted.
"U.S. is NOT listening, impeding global fight against #COVID19. The ONLY remedy: DEFY U.S. mass punishment. MORAL & PRAGMATIC imperative," Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday.
And president Hassan Rouhani told Washington: "You have blocked Iran's oil exports, you have stopped Iran's banking transactions... Your help offer is the biggest lie in the history."
Iran has rejected an American offer of humanitarian aid to help fight coronavirus, instead demanding that stringent economic sanctions be lifted.
"U.S. is NOT listening, impeding global fight against #COVID19. The ONLY remedy: DEFY U.S. mass punishment. MORAL & PRAGMATIC imperative," Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday.
And president Hassan Rouhani told Washington: "You have blocked Iran's oil exports, you have stopped Iran's banking transactions... Your help offer is the biggest lie in the history."
Military sent in
The armed forces are being drafted in to help manage and distribute supplies of protective equipment to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic, writes Conrad Duncan.
The armed forces are being drafted in to help manage and distribute supplies of protective equipment to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic, writes Conrad Duncan.
UN fund on the way
The UN is to create a fund to support the treatment of coronavirus patients worldwide, Norway announced on Monday.
"A multi-donor fund under UN auspices will provide predictability for our partners and help to make the efforts more effective," foreign minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said in a statement.
The fund is designed to help developing countries with weak health systems to address the crisis, as well as tackle the long-term consequences, the ministry added.
The UN is to create a fund to support the treatment of coronavirus patients worldwide, Norway announced on Monday.
"A multi-donor fund under UN auspices will provide predictability for our partners and help to make the efforts more effective," foreign minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said in a statement.
The fund is designed to help developing countries with weak health systems to address the crisis, as well as tackle the long-term consequences, the ministry added.
Germany numbers
Eighty-eight people have now died in Germany, the RKI health institute has said. There have been 22,672 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Eighty-eight people have now died in Germany, the RKI health institute has said. There have been 22,672 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Trump told to 'get off Twitter'
Donald Trump criticised the media and governors leading their states’ coronavirus efforts after the governor of Illinois said the lapsed federal government response has forced states to compete for badly needed medical supplies and other resources, writes Alex Woodward.
Governor JB Pritzker told CNN on Sunday that there “should have been a coordinated effort by the federal government” to help cash-strapped states obtain personal protective equipment like respirators and other health workers’ supplies.
The president has also been criticised for wavering on an emergency mandate that would force companies to begin manufacturing those supplies.
Donald Trump criticised the media and governors leading their states’ coronavirus efforts after the governor of Illinois said the lapsed federal government response has forced states to compete for badly needed medical supplies and other resources, writes Alex Woodward.
Governor JB Pritzker told CNN on Sunday that there “should have been a coordinated effort by the federal government” to help cash-strapped states obtain personal protective equipment like respirators and other health workers’ supplies.
The president has also been criticised for wavering on an emergency mandate that would force companies to begin manufacturing those supplies.
Hancock warns of crackdown
Echoing Boris Johnson's words yesterday, Matt Hancock has warned the government "may have to take further action" if people continue to flout social distancing rules of staying 2m away from each other.
Speaking on Sky News after widespread reports of people thronging outdoor spots to enjoy a sunny weekend, he said: "This is not the sort of thing that anybody would want to do but, of course, it is the sort of thing we might have to do in order to protect life.
"If you do go out, you must not get closer than 2m from someone who isn't in your household.
"It is a really simple rule and incredibly important, because to protect life and the NHS we need to stop the spread of this virus and the virus spreads by people coming into close contact with each other."
Echoing Boris Johnson's words yesterday, Matt Hancock has warned the government "may have to take further action" if people continue to flout social distancing rules of staying 2m away from each other.
Speaking on Sky News after widespread reports of people thronging outdoor spots to enjoy a sunny weekend, he said: "This is not the sort of thing that anybody would want to do but, of course, it is the sort of thing we might have to do in order to protect life.
"If you do go out, you must not get closer than 2m from someone who isn't in your household.
"It is a really simple rule and incredibly important, because to protect life and the NHS we need to stop the spread of this virus and the virus spreads by people coming into close contact with each other."
PM's 'relaxed' response could cost lives, doctor warns
Boris Johnson's "relaxed" approach to coronavirus could cost lives, a Labour MP has warned.
Rosena Allin-Khan, a Labour deputy leadership candidate and practising emergency doctor, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If we look at the fact that we are two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the social distancing measures.
"The prime minister simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also saying that people should stay 2m apart outdoors."
The Tooting MP added: "This relaxed style, mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they are just not clear."
Ms Allin-Khan confirmed she would support a "full lockdown" if that was proven to be the way to save lives.
Boris Johnson's "relaxed" approach to coronavirus could cost lives, a Labour MP has warned.
Rosena Allin-Khan, a Labour deputy leadership candidate and practising emergency doctor, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If we look at the fact that we are two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the social distancing measures.
"The prime minister simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also saying that people should stay 2m apart outdoors."
The Tooting MP added: "This relaxed style, mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they are just not clear."
Ms Allin-Khan confirmed she would support a "full lockdown" if that was proven to be the way to save lives.
Emirates flights grounded
Emirates has changed its plans for closing down passenger operations for the third time in 12 hours, writes Simon Calder.
Following an order from the UAE government, the giant Dubai-based airline now says it will ground all passenger flights from Wednesday 25 March – initially for two weeks – in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Emirates has changed its plans for closing down passenger operations for the third time in 12 hours, writes Simon Calder.
Following an order from the UAE government, the giant Dubai-based airline now says it will ground all passenger flights from Wednesday 25 March – initially for two weeks – in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Matt Hancock hits out at day-trippers
"It's very selfish" for people to ignore social distancing advice, the health secretary has said.
He told the BBC: "If people go within 2m of others who they don't live with, they are helping to spread the virus and the consequence of that costs lives - and it means that for everyone, this will go on for longer."
"It's very selfish" for people to ignore social distancing advice, the health secretary has said.
He told the BBC: "If people go within 2m of others who they don't live with, they are helping to spread the virus and the consequence of that costs lives - and it means that for everyone, this will go on for longer."
Hancock challenged on messaging
Matt Hancock was asked by the Today programme presenter Nick Robinson whether confused messaging from the government was partly to blame for the failure of some people to practise social distancing.
"It is incredibly important that people stay more than 2m away from others wherever they are.
"If you have to go out, for instance, shopping, then you should stay 2m away from others and of course stay at home wherever possible.
"I understand why people want to [visit parks or the beach] and it is important that people get exercise but they should do it staying away from others."
Mr Hancock insisted that the government had been "really clear in the actions that we've taken" - following criticism from Labour's Rosena Allin-Khan, a doctor, of what she called ministers' "mixed messaging".
Matt Hancock was asked by the Today programme presenter Nick Robinson whether confused messaging from the government was partly to blame for the failure of some people to practise social distancing.
"It is incredibly important that people stay more than 2m away from others wherever they are.
"If you have to go out, for instance, shopping, then you should stay 2m away from others and of course stay at home wherever possible.
"I understand why people want to [visit parks or the beach] and it is important that people get exercise but they should do it staying away from others."
Mr Hancock insisted that the government had been "really clear in the actions that we've taken" - following criticism from Labour's Rosena Allin-Khan, a doctor, of what she called ministers' "mixed messaging".
Hancock threatens crackdown
"We've demonstrated that we're willing, if we have to, to take more action, in the same way that last week we said people should not go to bars, clubs and restaurants. Some of them stayed open and so we brought in the measures to close them and they are now enforceable."
Asked when the threatened crackdown on freedom of movement - trailed by Boris Johnson yesterday - could take effect, Mr Hancock said: "We're of course monitoring how much people are following those rules ... You've got to look at the data, at how much people are monitoring those rules, and of course we'll act if we need to.
"As health secretary, it is my job to protect life, and the way that we protect life from a virus like this is to stop its spread, and the way that you stop its spread is by people not interacting with others - not coming into close contact."
"We've demonstrated that we're willing, if we have to, to take more action, in the same way that last week we said people should not go to bars, clubs and restaurants. Some of them stayed open and so we brought in the measures to close them and they are now enforceable."
Asked when the threatened crackdown on freedom of movement - trailed by Boris Johnson yesterday - could take effect, Mr Hancock said: "We're of course monitoring how much people are following those rules ... You've got to look at the data, at how much people are monitoring those rules, and of course we'll act if we need to.
"As health secretary, it is my job to protect life, and the way that we protect life from a virus like this is to stop its spread, and the way that you stop its spread is by people not interacting with others - not coming into close contact."
'Nothing is off the table'
Reminded of stringent measures in Germany and Greece, including a "total curfew" and bans on more than two people going out together, Mr Hancock said: "Nothing is off the table. Of course we're looking at what other European countries are doing.
"There's a series of different measures that other countries have taken. Now, they are further down the curve, they have higher numbers of cases than we do here but that means that we can act sooner and earlier in this epidemic.
"But all the way through we've said that we're prepared to take the actions that are necessary, and we are."
Asked whether the police would be asked to order people off the streets, Mr Hancock accepted that they may have a role to play.
He said he had signed an order on Saturday allowing police to shut bars and restaurants if they were still open.
"This isn't the sort of thing I ever wanted to do, but it's the sort of thing that, as a nation, we've got to be prepared to see in order to stop this virus," Mr Hancock said.
Reminded of stringent measures in Germany and Greece, including a "total curfew" and bans on more than two people going out together, Mr Hancock said: "Nothing is off the table. Of course we're looking at what other European countries are doing.
"There's a series of different measures that other countries have taken. Now, they are further down the curve, they have higher numbers of cases than we do here but that means that we can act sooner and earlier in this epidemic.
"But all the way through we've said that we're prepared to take the actions that are necessary, and we are."
Asked whether the police would be asked to order people off the streets, Mr Hancock accepted that they may have a role to play.
He said he had signed an order on Saturday allowing police to shut bars and restaurants if they were still open.
"This isn't the sort of thing I ever wanted to do, but it's the sort of thing that, as a nation, we've got to be prepared to see in order to stop this virus," Mr Hancock said.
