Mass gatherings are set to be banned across the country from next weekend in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, marking a dramatic shift in the Government's position.
On Thursday, Boris Johnson announced that the country were moving to the delay phase of the coronavirus action plan but did not yet call for mass events to be cancelled.
The prime minister had come under fire for the approach and was facing mounting pressure with other European countries implementing more extreme measures.
However,sports fixtures and events, music concerts and business conferences are all now facing the axe amid mounting efforts to tackle Covid-19.
A Whitehall source told the Mirror that the Government believes the move, which is set to come into force next weekend, will help free-up emergency services rather than curb the spread of the disease.
The source said: “Ministers are working with the Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer on our plan to stop various types of public event, including mass gatherings, beginning next week.
“We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home.
“There are many complex considerations to make all these measures as effective as possible.
“We will make the right decisions at the right time based on the best scientific evidence.
“For example, we are concerned about the burden large events put on public services - including the health service and the police - from dealing with coronavirus.
“Officials are working with industry bodies to identify how to support businesses that will be affected by this decision.
“We have drafted emergency legislation to give the Government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations.
“We will publish this legislation next week.”
Earlier this week, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced gatherings of more than 500 people would be banned as the virus took hold.
Usher Hall, the Playhouse theatre and other venues across Edinburgh said they would update customers on Monday about the status of future events in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The first death from COVID-19 in Scotland was confirmed on Friday (13 March) - the patient was said to be an older person in the Lothians who had underlying health conditions
There were also nine new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Lothians, with 85 found throughout Scotland.
