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Pubs, bars and restaurants in England will be ordered to close by 10pm each night from Thursday under tough restrictions set to be announced by Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister will use an address to the nation on Tuesday evening to outline new measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, which will also restrict the hospitality sector to table service only.
Mr Johnson will emphasise the need for people to follow social-distancing guidance, wear face coverings and wash their hands regularly.
He will also urge people to work from home where it does not hurt businesses, according to reports.
Coronavirus hits the UK – In pictures
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Electronic bilboards displays a message warning people to stay home in Sheffield
PA
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An image of The Queen eith quotes from her broadcast to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the Coronavirus epidemic are displayed on lights in London’s Piccadilly Circus
PA
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Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown
Andrew Parsons
4/50
Military vehicles cross Westminster Bridge after members of the 101 Logistic Brigade delivered a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ hospital
Getty Images
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Durdle Door in Dorset
Reuters
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Captain Tom Moore
via Reuters
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Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in “PE with Joe” a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Coronavirus outbreak
PA
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An NHS worker reacts at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS
Reuters
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Goats which have taken over the deserted streets of Llandudno
@AndrewStuart via PA
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Tobias Weller
PA
11/50
Novikov restaurant in London with its shutters pulled down while the restaurant is closed
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London Landscapes: Hyde Park and the Serpentine, central London.
Matt Writtle
13/50
A newspaper vendor in Manchester city centre giving away free toilet rolls with every paper bought as shops run low on supplies due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus
PA
14/50
Theo Clay looks out of his window next to his hand-drawn picture of a rainbow in Liverpool, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue
Reuters
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A young man cuts another man’s hair on top of a closed hairdresser in Oxford
Reuters
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General view of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital, built to fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London
via Reuters
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Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children in Stockport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues
Reuters
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A woman wearing a face mask walks past Buckingham Palace
Getty Images
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A man holds mobile phone displaying a text message alert sent by the government warning that new rules are in force across the UK and people must stay at home
PA
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Medical staff on the Covid-19 ward at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, in Wales, as the health services continue their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
PA
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson taking part in a virtual Cabinet meeting with his top team of ministers
PA
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A shopper walks past empty shelves in a Lidl store on in Wallington. After spates of “panic buying” cleared supermarket shelves of items like toilet paper and cleaning products, stores across the UK have introduced limits on purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have also created special time slots for the elderly and other shoppers vulnerable to the new coronavirus.
Getty Images
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People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour
PA
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Mia, aged 8 and her brother Jack, aged 5 from Essex, continue their school work at home, after being sent home due to the coronavirus
PA
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Children are painting ‘Chase the rainbows’ artwork and springing up in windows across the country
Reuters
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Social distancing in Primrose Hill
Jeremy Selwyn
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Westminster Bridge is deserted
PA
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A general view of a locked gate at Anfield, Liverpool as The Premier League has been suspended
PA
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An empty escalator at Charing Coss London Underground tube station
Jeremy Selwyn
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Homeless people in London
AFP via Getty Images
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A piece of art by the artist, known as the Rebel Bear has appeared on a wall on Bank Street in Glasgow. The new addition to Glasgow’s street art is capturing the global Coronavirus crisis. The piece features a woman and a man pulling back to give each other a kiss
PA
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The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace, London, for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic
PA
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A general view on Grey street, Newcastle as coronavirus cases grow around the world
Reuters
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Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside
PA
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Britain’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (L) and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance look on as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news conference inside 10 Downing Street
Reuters
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The ticket-validation terminals at the tram stop on Edinburgh’s Princes Street are cleaned following the coronavirus outbreak.
PA
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Locked school gates at Rockcliffe First School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
PA
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A sign at a Sainsbury’s supermarket informs customers that limits have been set on a small number of products as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases grow around the world
Reuters
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Jawad Javed delivers coronavirus protection kits that he and his wife have put together to the vulnerable people of their community of Stenhousemuir, between Glasgow and Edinburgh
AFP via Getty Images
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A sign advertising a book titled “How Will We Survive On Earth?”
Getty Images
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A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria
Jeremy Selwyn
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A pedestrian walks past graffiti that reads “Diseases are in the City” in Edinburgh
AFP via Getty Images
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Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London inform patrons, as it shuts its doors
PA
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A quiet looking George IV Bridge in Edinburgh
PA
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A quieter than usual British Museum
Getty Images
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A racegoer attends Cheltenham in a fashionable face mask
SplashNews.com
47/50
A commuter wears a face mask at London Bridge Station
Jeremy Selwyn
48/50
A empty restaurant in the Bull Ring Shopping Centre
Getty Images
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A deserted Trafalgar Square in London
PA
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Passengers determined to avoid the coronavirus before leaving the UK arrive at Gatwick Airport
Getty Images
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Electronic bilboards displays a message warning people to stay home in Sheffield
PA
2/50
An image of The Queen eith quotes from her broadcast to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the Coronavirus epidemic are displayed on lights in London’s Piccadilly Circus
PA
3/50
Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown
Andrew Parsons
4/50
Military vehicles cross Westminster Bridge after members of the 101 Logistic Brigade delivered a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas’ hospital
Getty Images
5/50
Durdle Door in Dorset
Reuters
6/50
Captain Tom Moore
via Reuters
7/50
Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in “PE with Joe” a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Coronavirus outbreak
PA
8/50
An NHS worker reacts at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS
Reuters
9/50
Goats which have taken over the deserted streets of Llandudno
@AndrewStuart via PA
10/50
Tobias Weller
PA
11/50
Novikov restaurant in London with its shutters pulled down while the restaurant is closed
12/50
London Landscapes: Hyde Park and the Serpentine, central London.
Matt Writtle
13/50
A newspaper vendor in Manchester city centre giving away free toilet rolls with every paper bought as shops run low on supplies due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus
PA
14/50
Theo Clay looks out of his window next to his hand-drawn picture of a rainbow in Liverpool, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue
Reuters
15/50
A young man cuts another man’s hair on top of a closed hairdresser in Oxford
Reuters
16/50
General view of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital, built to fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London
via Reuters
17/50
Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children in Stockport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues
Reuters
18/50
A woman wearing a face mask walks past Buckingham Palace
Getty Images
19/50
A man holds mobile phone displaying a text message alert sent by the government warning that new rules are in force across the UK and people must stay at home
PA
20/50
Medical staff on the Covid-19 ward at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, in Wales, as the health services continue their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
PA
21/50
Prime Minister Boris Johnson taking part in a virtual Cabinet meeting with his top team of ministers
PA
22/50
A shopper walks past empty shelves in a Lidl store on in Wallington. After spates of “panic buying” cleared supermarket shelves of items like toilet paper and cleaning products, stores across the UK have introduced limits on purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have also created special time slots for the elderly and other shoppers vulnerable to the new coronavirus.
Getty Images
23/50
People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour
PA
24/50
Mia, aged 8 and her brother Jack, aged 5 from Essex, continue their school work at home, after being sent home due to the coronavirus
PA
25/50
Children are painting ‘Chase the rainbows’ artwork and springing up in windows across the country
Reuters
26/50
Social distancing in Primrose Hill
Jeremy Selwyn
27/50
Westminster Bridge is deserted
PA
28/50
A general view of a locked gate at Anfield, Liverpool as The Premier League has been suspended
PA
29/50
An empty escalator at Charing Coss London Underground tube station
Jeremy Selwyn
30/50
Homeless people in London
AFP via Getty Images
31/50
A piece of art by the artist, known as the Rebel Bear has appeared on a wall on Bank Street in Glasgow. The new addition to Glasgow’s street art is capturing the global Coronavirus crisis. The piece features a woman and a man pulling back to give each other a kiss
PA
32/50
The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace, London, for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic
PA
33/50
A general view on Grey street, Newcastle as coronavirus cases grow around the world
Reuters
34/50
Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside
PA
35/50
Britain’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (L) and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance look on as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news conference inside 10 Downing Street
Reuters
36/50
The ticket-validation terminals at the tram stop on Edinburgh’s Princes Street are cleaned following the coronavirus outbreak.
PA
37/50
Locked school gates at Rockcliffe First School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
PA
38/50
A sign at a Sainsbury’s supermarket informs customers that limits have been set on a small number of products as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases grow around the world
Reuters
39/50
Jawad Javed delivers coronavirus protection kits that he and his wife have put together to the vulnerable people of their community of Stenhousemuir, between Glasgow and Edinburgh
AFP via Getty Images
40/50
A sign advertising a book titled “How Will We Survive On Earth?”
Getty Images
41/50
A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria
Jeremy Selwyn
42/50
A pedestrian walks past graffiti that reads “Diseases are in the City” in Edinburgh
AFP via Getty Images
43/50
Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London inform patrons, as it shuts its doors
PA
44/50
A quiet looking George IV Bridge in Edinburgh
PA
45/50
A quieter than usual British Museum
Getty Images
46/50
A racegoer attends Cheltenham in a fashionable face mask
SplashNews.com
47/50
A commuter wears a face mask at London Bridge Station
Jeremy Selwyn
48/50
A empty restaurant in the Bull Ring Shopping Centre
Getty Images
49/50
A deserted Trafalgar Square in London
PA
50/50
Passengers determined to avoid the coronavirus before leaving the UK arrive at Gatwick Airport
Getty Images
Other potential measures said to be under consideration include a further delay to trials of spectators returning to professional sport events and the closure of indoor concert venues.
The Government’s chief scientific and medical advisers earlier painted a grim picture of how 200 or more people in the UK could die each day by mid-November if the current rate of infection is not halted.
Sir Patrick Vallance, speaking alongside Professor Chris Whitty on Monday, said the “vast majority of the population remain susceptible” to catching coronavirus and the current situation required swift action to bring the case numbers down.
The UK’s four chief medical officers then recommended raising the Covid alert level from three to four – the second highest – indicating the “epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially”.
Mr Johnson will chair meetings of Cabinet and the Cobra emergency committee – including the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – on Tuesday before a televised address at 8pm.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “No-one underestimates the challenges the new measures will pose to many individuals and businesses.
“We know this won’t be easy, but we must take further action to control the resurgence in cases of the virus and protect the NHS.”
The fresh restrictions sparked anger from the hospitality sector, with Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, describing them as “another crushing blow” for many businesses.
“A hard close time is bad for business and bad for controlling the virus – we need to allow time for people to disperse over a longer period,” she said.
“Table service has been widely adopted in some parts of the sector since reopening but it is not necessary across all businesses, such as coffee shops.
“It is hard to understand how these measures are the solution to fighting the disease when Government data shows that just 5% of infections out of the home are related to hospitality.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the new rules would “feel like a step backwards”, and urged the Government to fix the track and trace system and help the hospitality sector.
He said: “The Prime Minister must also financially help pubs and restaurants who will inevitably lose business. After people have already been through so much hardship, we cannot allow thousands of jobs to disappear overnight.”
In mid-September, around 3,000 new cases were recorded every day in the UK and if the growth continued unabated that would result in 50,000 cases by the middle of October, Sir Patrick said.
He warned the “50,000 cases per day would be expected to lead a month later, so the middle of November, say, to 200-plus deaths per day”.
“The challenge therefore is to make sure the doubling time does not stay at seven days.”
Prof Whitty suggested that reducing social contacts was a key way to curb the spread but acknowledged there was a balance to be struck in terms of protecting the economy.
“Ministers making decisions – and all of society – have to walk this very difficult balance,” he said.
“If we do too little, this virus will go out of control and you will get significant numbers of increased direct and indirect deaths.
“But if we go too far the other way, then we can cause damage to the economy which can feed through to unemployment, to poverty, to deprivation – all of which have long-term health effects, so we need always to keep these two sides in mind.”
He suggested that science would eventually “ride to our rescue”, but “in this period of the next six months, I think we have to realise that we have to take this, collectively, very seriously”.