Boris Johnson has warned that “more loved ones will die before their time” as the UK fights “the worst public health crisis for a generation”.
Briefing the media after chairing an emergency Cobra meeting, the Prime Minister warned of “severe disruption across our country for many months” and urged the public to follow new advice.
That includes staying at home for seven days if experiencing symptoms including fevers and persistent dry coughs.
However, unlike in Scotland, the UK Government is not yet moving to cancel large gatherings of people.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was the first to confirm the UK’s move from the contain phase into the delay phase, where the objective is to slow down the spread of coronavirus and reduce numbers infected at the peak.
She said another key focus will be to protect those groups in society that early data suggests is more at risk.
