The government has declared an economic 'war' on the coronavirus today and proposed handing emergency powers to police and immigration officers to detain people to force them to isolate.
Today Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rushi Sunak unveiled new measures from mortgage repayment holidays to business loans in £330billion package.
Today's announcements come after the latest official figures issued today recorded the UK death toll rising to 71.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 1,950 as 407 more patients were diagnosed over 24 hours.
Brits have also been advised against all non-essential world travel for a period of at least 30 days from today as countries around the world close borders, and struggling airlines cancel flights.
Both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to do "everything it takes" to wage war on the virus, as they unveiled a huge economic support package plus loans for affected businesses.
Here are the latest official updates and advice the government has put in place as of Tuesday, March 17 that you need to know.
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Isolation
Presently, the NHS advice remains for anyone with symptoms - that's a cough or fever - to self-isolate at home for at least seven days.
If those with symptoms live with others, they should all stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection elsewhere.
After two weeks, anyone living with someone with symptoms who has not developed the symptoms themselves can return to their normal routine.
But anyone in the household who gets new symptoms should isolate from that point for seven days, meaning everyone in the home may have to remain in self-isolation for longer than 14 days.
If symptoms do not get better after seven days or a patient's condition worsens, the NHS non-emergency 111 number should be called.
During isolation, people within a household should attempt to keep two metres (three steps) from each other and sleep alone, while asking friends or family to deliver food and essentials.
Anyone self-isolating is urged to wash hands regularly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds and take everyday painkillers to help cope with the symptoms.
Those in self-isolation should not invite visitors and should tell delivery drivers to leave deliveries outside.
The official advice says they should not leave home even for a walk.
The government has asked as many people in the UK as possible to work from home.
Buying food and drink
Brits are being advised to steer clear of pubs, clubs, theatres and other mass gatherings under the current measures.
Pubs and restaurants will be able to offer takeaways without planning permission, it was announced today.
The Treasury said: "We will relax planning regulations to allow pubs and restaurants to start providing takeaways without a planning application."
Some enterprising restaurants have already converted into hastily-arranged takeaway restaurants after they failed to get people through the door.
The relaxation will happen "to support the food industry and help provide meals for people who need to self-isolate."
The government has not yet announced any measures on stockpiling or food restrictions at supermarkets, as the chains urge against panic-buying.
Some supermarket chains in the UK have taken it upon themselves to allow elderly people to have a window of time to shop to ensure they can get groceries.
Travel
The government has advised against all non-essential world travel for a period of at least 30 days from today.
It comes after the EU closed its borders to travellers and countries including France followed Italy into lockdown.
Making a statement in the House of Commons today, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs: "With immediate effect I've taken the decision to advise British nationals against non-essential travel globally, for an initial period of 30 days and of course subject to ongoing review."
The Foreign Secretary also said that while the government would do its best to try and help Brits home that it would be "unrealistic" for the UK government to bring all travellers affected.
The Foreign Office has said that whether travel is essential or not is a personal decision and circumstances differ from person to person.
They say those who make the decision to travel should check their travel insurance.
A package for airlines and airports could be announced soon.
The Chancellor and Transport Secretary will discuss in the coming days specific support for airlines and airports.
You can read more here.
'Lockdown'
Despite an official lockdown not in place in Britain like in other countries, 'draconian' measures to cut the spread of coronavirus in the UK may be in force for more than 18 months, according to a report.
Imperial College's Covid-19 Response Team - who are advising the UK Government - yesterday said a 'suppression' approach was the only viable way to tackle the disease.
The PM announced last week measures were in place to 'mitigate' the outbreak but this has now been replaced by 'suppression' with Brits encouraged to avoid restaurants, pubs and confined spaces.
He also recommended people work from home wherever possible.
Experts at Imperial College found that 'social distancing', self-isolating at home and closing schools and universities would stem the outbreak.
Over-70s and those with underlying health problems
People in Britain aged over 70 and those with underlying health problems or vulnerabilities are being instructed by the government to stay in strict isolation for three months from next weekend.
Pregnant women were added to those most at risk who are being advised to quarantine themselves.
The advice includes those normally advised to take the flu vaccine.
If someone in a household displays symptoms all those they live with must isolate for 14 days - however.
If someone over 70 is in an 'infected' household or has a long-term condition or has a weakened immune system, it is advisable for them to stay elsewhere for their quarantine period.
Schools and public gatherings
Despite pressure from worried parents, the government has not yet forced school closures.
Boris Johnson said today that advice was continually under review.
An education spokeswoman said oday: “Schools should remain open unless they are advised to close by Public Health England.
“However we are reviewing the issue of access to free school meals as a matter of urgency as we recognise the challenges this could place on families, schools and education providers.”
Asked about free school meals during today's news conference, Mr Johnson added: "On schools, we will have obviously plans ready to go on that.
"Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary, has a plan to make sure that parents with kids who are eligible for free school meals get the compensation or the treatment they need one way or the other, we certainly anticipated that."
The government has so far advised people to avoid going to any other public venues.
While leaders have yet to close the UK's education institutions, the PM confirmed yesterday the country is "moving emphatically away from" mass gatherings.
Emergency coronavirus laws
The government tonight set out emergency legislation proposing handing new temporary powers to police and immigration officers to detain people and put them in isolation to protect public health.
"The new measures we will be introducing in the Emergency Coronavirus Bill this week will only be used when it is absolutely necessary and must be timed to maximise their effectiveness," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement this evening.
Police and border officials could be given powers to detain people for a "limited period" if it is feared they could spread the deadly virus.
The bill also includes measures to offer additional employment protections and compensation for those volunteering in health and social care.
It also makes it easier for potentially highly-skilled health and care staff who have retired to return to the frontline.
The measures are not yet in force, and will be brought before parliament for politicians to debate on Thursday.
Ministers have not declared a 'state of emergency' under the Civil Contingencies Act - meaning Parliament must pass these proposals before they can be enacted.
You can read the full list of of UK coronavirus emergency laws here.
Mortgage-holders to be offered three-month repayment holiday
Mortgagelenders have voluntarily agreed to help customers who have "issues with their finances as a result of Covid-19".
Those measures will include a three-month payment holiday.
The Mirror Online has asked the Treasury for more detail on this - including whether all lenders are taking part; whether it includes buy-to-let or interest-only mortgages; or whether the holiday will affect people's credit score.
The Chancellor said: "For those in difficulty due to coronavirus, mortgage lenders will now offer a three-month mortgage holiday.
"So people will not have to pay a penny towards their mortgage costs while they get back on their feet.”
Today's announcement had no specific support for renters.
In France, rent payments and utility bills have been suspended. These measures have not been announced in the UK.
Read more about the emergency mortgage repayment measures here.
Help for businesses
The government has announced a £330bn offer of loans to businesses large and small to cope with the short-term crisis.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “That means any business who needs access to cash to pay their rent, salaries, suppliers, or purchase stock will be able to access a government loan on credit on attractive terms.”
If demand is greater than that, he said, he will go further and “provide as much capacity as required”. A new legal power will be taken to “offer whatever further financial support is necessary” in the future.
The £330bn of loans will be provided in two ways, the Chancellor said.
For big firms, there will be a new lending facility arranged through the governor of the Bank of England.
For smaller firms, a new business interruption loan scheme - which was announced at last week’s Budget to deal with coronavirus - will be extended from £1.2m to £5m per firm.
No interest will be due on those loans for smaller firms for the first six months.
“Both of these schemes will be up and running by the start of next week,” he said.
Also, last week’s Budget announced support to 700,000 small firms which are eligible for either Small Business or Rural Rate Relief.
It was worth £3,000 per firm but will now be worth £10,000, the Chancellor said.
Grants for pubs, clubs, theatres and other virus-hit venues
The government announced a huge scheme of £25,000 cash grants for “pubs, clubs, theatres and other hospitality, leisure and retail firms”.
The Chancellor had already said business rates won’t apply this year to retail, hospitality and leisure venues with a “rateable value” between £15,000 and £51,000.
Now those same firms - basically, small businesses in the sector - will be also be offered an additional cash grant of up to £25,000 per firm.
However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak claimed his new funding won’t be needed for firms that have specific insurance against pandemics - despite firms warning they may be unable to claim.
The Chancellor said: “For those businesses that do have a policy for insurance that covers pandemics, the governments action is sufficient and will allow businesses to make an insurance claim against their policy.”
Read more about what is in the £330bn package here.
Rights if you can't go to work
Employers have already been told they'll have to pay workers who have to self-isolate - which means most of those affected will be paid for any sickness leave.
In cases where employers do not offer sick pay, workers will be entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks, from day one.
This amounts to £94.25 per week - and will include those who have to quarantine due to even 'mild' coronavirus symptoms.
Employers should seek guidance on what can be done to minimise the risk of spreading the virus - and provide staff with the resources to help manage it, ie. tissues and hand sanitisers.
This includes considering whether staff can work from home - and providing them with the resources and capabilities to do so.
The Chancellor said today more announcements will be announced in coming days as ministers speak to industry leaders and trade unions about steps to protect workers.
