Boris Johnson said the UK Government is telling pubs, cafes, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, leisure centres and gyms to close from tonight to fight coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said the plans – had been agreed with the country’s devolved parliaments – will mean the venues can not open from Saturday.
He confirmed that businesses can continue to operate takeaway operations during the fight against covid-19.
Mr Johnson said: “The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice,” he told the daily Covid-19 press conference.
“And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday.
WATCH LIVE: PM @BorisJohnson holds the daily #coronavirus press conference (20 March 2020) https://t.co/7U3E179CBr
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 20, 2020
“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.
“And so following agreement with all the devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow.
“Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services
“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale.”
It comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that “for the first time in our history” the Government will step in and help pay people’s wages through a coronavirus job retention scheme.
He said employers would be able to apply to HM Revenue and Customs to cover 80% of the wages of staff they keep on up to £2,500 a month.
Mr Sunak said “our planned economic response will be one of the most comprehensive in the world”.
He added: “To all those at home, right now anxious about the days ahead, I say you will not face this alone.”
He also said the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme will now be interest-free for 12 months rather than the six months previously announced.
“And thanks to the enormous efforts of our critical financial services sector those loans will now be available starting from Monday,” he said.
It comes after the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the UK rose to 177.
There have been 167 in England, six in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The number of deaths across the UK is up 40 on the equivalent total for Thursday – the biggest day-on-day rise since the outbreak began.
The first coronavirus-related death in the UK was reported 15 days ago, on March 5.
It comes after the Scottish Government revealed there were 322 confirmed cases north of the border.
In Tayside and Fife there have been 43 confirmed cases.
