People queue outside a large supermarket store, a day after the government unveiled an emergency package aimed at protecting workers' jobs and wages as they face hardship in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, in London | Photo Credit: AP

Key Highlights People with underlying health conditions such as bone or blood cancers, cystic fibrosis, or who have had an organ transplant have been advised to stay home for three months 'People should stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives' A dedicated phone line and arrangements to deliver groceries or medicines will also be announced

London: Amid coronavirus pandemic, the British government has identified up to 1.5 million extremely vulnerable people in Britain telling them to stay at home for three months.

As per the government report, people with underlying health conditions such as bone or blood cancers, cystic fibrosis, or who have had an organ transplant have been advised by health officials to do everything they can to protect themselves from the virus which has affected over 266,073 people.

"People should stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives," Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said in a statement.

He further added that the government was asking "extremely vulnerable individuals" to take "extra steps to shield themselves".

People who have been identified will be contacted by their GP practice, specialist or both strongly advising them to stay at home for a period of at least 12 weeks and a dedicated phone line and arrangements to deliver groceries or medicines will also be announced.

Paul Johnstone, director of Public Health England, said those contacted should "not go out for shopping, for leisure or for travel".

'Beware of scams, don't visit tourist places'

As per the latest figures, 177 people have died in the UK from the coronavirus following which the Boris Johnson administration announced a slew of tough measures to try and combat the spread, including the closing of bars, pubs and restaurants.

Meanwhile, tourist hotspots in the UK have pleaded for people not to visit the coast or the countryside for fear of spreading the coronavirus.

The British public has been warned by the Scotland Yard to remain vigilant against a number of scams perpetrated by criminals looking to cash in on the people's fears regarding COVID-19 outbreak.

The Metropolitan Police also that the majority of incidents reported were connected to online shopping scams, where people ordered and paid for the goods and personal protective equipment which never arrived.

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