Britain could be put into lockdown for more than three weeks, a politician has claimed.
Northern Irish First Minister Arlene Foster said if she was a "betting person" she would say the lockdown will continue past Easter.
She told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that a review will need to take place after the initial three-week period.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced strict measures on Monday night, which included the closure of all non-essential shops, and anyone who wants to exercise can leave their home once a day to do so.
In response to the new rules to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Mrs Foster said: "These new rules on social distancing may seem extreme but they are absolutely crucial in slowing the spread of this virus."
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Sources told The Sun that the lockdown across the country could even last until May or June if the virus doesn't show any signs of slowing.
The Telegraph claim that the lockdown could last “anything up to six months, depending on how quickly positive effects are seen.”
During his address to the nation, Mr Johnson didn't give an exact date for when we would be able to return to normal.
The government website states: "These measures are effective immediately.
"The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible."
This means the current plan is to keep the rules in place for at least three weeks, with the possibility of extending them for even longer.
Italy, the worst hit country in Europe, has been in complete lockdown since March 9.
Tens of thousands of people have been charged for breaking the rules.
In Wuhan, where the virus first broke out, the city was placed into lockdown on January 23, with strict measure still in place.
But other areas in China are expected to allow people to travel around the country soon after the spread of coronavirus slowed, with cases of the bug dropping.
In the UK, people are now only allowed to leave their house for four reasons. They are:
- to buy essential items, such as food
- to do exercise, but only once a day. This can be a walk or a jog. You must do this alone or with people you live with
- to travel to work if it is absolutely necessary
- to care for a vulnerable person.
Johnson has described coronavirus Covid-19 as "the biggest threat this country has faced for decades".
The UK death toll increased by 87 to 422 on Tuesday as the nation settles in to the coronavirus lockdown.
