The UK remains in the first "contain" phase of the coronavirus outbreak today - despite the government admitting it will "spread in a significant way."
Boris Johnson gathered ministers, the Chief Medical Office and Chief Scientific Advisor this morning for a meeting of the COBRA emergency committee to discuss the next steps to tackle the illness.
The meeting discussed whether the UK should officially move to the delay phase - the second part of the Government's four-part plan which will involve formal "social distancing" measures in the population.
But as of 1pm the government had announced no new action or advice - instead advising people, including the elderly, to continue washing their hands with soap and water regularly for 20 seconds.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “We remain in the contain phase but it is now accepted that this virus is going to spread in a significant way, and that is why officials have been working at speed on further steps we can take to delay the spread of the virus.”
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK soared to 319 today. Three people have died in UK hospitals.
Unlike other countries the UK is not currently updating its guidance on mass gatherings like sports events, for example, or imposing travel restrictions.
Advice could change in future, but it is thought new guidance is not imminent on sports events, mass school closures or working from home, for example.
One government source warned there's a risk imposing hardline measures too soon could prompt "fatigue" among the public. They added: "The countries that went hardest on things like fight bans are the ones that have got it worst."
Boris Johnson's spokesman today said that if, and when the advice does change, it will be given to the in a “clear and transparent way".
He added: “The advice which we issue will depend on the circumstances and transmission of the virus and you can expect there to be updates.
“That doesn’t mean the information we were giving at the time was incorrect - it means that was what was appropriate at that moment in time.”
Earlier Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had said that cancelling sports events and shutting museums and galleries due to coronavirus would be "premature".
While some other European countries are cancelling mass gatherings or limiting the number of people who can attend big events, Mr Dowden said there are "no plans" for Britain to follow suit.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is hosting a meeting with governing bodies and broadcasters on Monday to discuss how to handle the Covid-19 outbreak's potential impact on the sporting calendar.
Meanwhile Environment Secretary George Eustice will hold further talks with retailers on how to support vulnerable groups who may have to self-isolate, amid widespread stockpiling.
A SAGE meeting is expected tomorrow with another COBRA meeting on Wednesday.
The PM’s spokesman declined to confirm or deny whether COBRA discussed giving specific advice to specific age groups.
He said any new advice should come directly from the Chief Medical Officer.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also chaired a meeting of the House of Commons and Lords Commissions to discuss Parliament's response - but said there were no plans to shut Parliament.
A spokesman said: “The Commissions of both Houses met today to discuss Parliament’s response to Coronavirus. There are no plans to suspend Parliament. We continue to act entirely in line with the advice of Public Health England and the Speakers and political leadership of both Houses are keeping the situation under constant review.”
Today No10 defended the UK's decision not to check people on arrival at airports in the way other countries have.
“The advice is clear and that is that temperature checks are not effective,” Boris Johnson's spokesman said. The government continues to be guided by medical and scientific advice, he added.
UK government sources say infected people can be "very infectious" before they experience a fever, which is why temperature checks are limited in how effective they are.
Last week, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told MPs the UK was mainly moving towards the delay phase of its strategy to tackle coronavirus, the point at which such "social distancing" measures may be phased in.
At the weekend, Italy imposed restrictions on around 16 million people for nearly a month in a bid to stop the spread of the disease there.
Italy now has the highest number of confirmed cases outside China at 7,375, and its death toll stands at 366.
France, where more than 1,100 cases have been recorded and 19 people have died, has announced a ban on events of more than 1,000 people.
Meanwhile the UK is working urgently on plans for a rescue flight for 142 Brits on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which is due to start disembarkation of US guests at the Port of Oakland on Monday.
The PM's spokesman said: “We are working intensively with the US authorities on arrangements for a flight for British nationals who are currently on [board]."
A statement from Princess Cruises said disembarkation "is expected to be a multiple day process", adding: "The US Coast Guard will be sending California Health & Human Services teams to assist with medical triage, screening and interviews, and prioritising those who require the most acute care.
"To avoid delays, testing will be conducted when guests arrive at their onward destination."
Meanwhile, in Italy, Britons are still able to leave lockdown areas in the North, although anyone wishing to travel there from the UK is advised not to do so unless it is urgent.
The FCO said: "British nationals remain able to depart Italy without restriction.
"Residents of other parts of Italy are permitted to leave the isolation areas to return home.
"Otherwise entry into and exit from these areas is forbidden without official permission on the grounds of strict necessity; the authorities have confirmed to us that this will be granted for reasons such as medical need or work requirements."
Across the whole of Italy, museums and cultural institutions are closed and all sporting fixtures must be played behind closed doors.
Childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed until March 15, while public and social gatherings should be avoided with cinemas, pubs and clubs closed. Restaurants and bars remain open with reduced seating.
A limited number of UK commercial flights, including from EasyJet , are still flying to and from Northern Italy.
A British Airways spokeswoman said: "Following the change to the UK Government travel advice for northern Italy, we are reviewing our schedule and have contacted all customers who are due to travel today.
"We are also offering customers booked to fly before April 2 the option to change their booking to another date up to the end of May, or to fly via Zurich or Geneva instead.
"Passengers due to travel to northern Italy today have been given the option of a full refund."
Travellers returning from the lockdown areas in northern Italy are advised to self-isolate if they have returned to the UK in the last 14 days, even if have they have no coronavirus symptoms.
Mr Johnson will tell the Cobra committee on Monday that tackling the outbreak will require a "national and international effort".
He is expected to say: "I am confident the British people are ready to play their part in that."
Prof Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance are due to attend the meeting.
Meanwhile more than a million people have sought advice on coronavirus from a dedicated NHS website in the first few days since its launch.
An update to 111 online was released less than two weeks ago on February 26 to help people get quick advice during the Covid-19 outbreak.
NHS England said that one day saw inquiries reach a record high of more than 210,000.
