The government will hold an emergency meeting later to consider implementing social distancing measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, including banning mass gatherings and lengthy household isolation for the elderly.

The prime minister is set to chair an emergency COBRA meeting before addressing the media over the pandemic on Monday, alongside chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Any announcement of new measures will likely come during the first of what will become daily televised news conferences featuring the PM or one of his senior ministers.

One measure that is not expected to be included at this stage is school closures.

The PM's official spokesperson said the scientific advice is it is "not a step we should be taking at this moment in time" but equally is "not something that we have ever ruled out".


The plans to hold daily televised briefings to update the public come after Mr Johnson received criticism over an apparent lack of transparency in the fight against COVID-19 - the prevalent strain of coronavirus.

As of 9am on Monday, 1,543 people had tested positive for coronavirus - and figures from Sunday show 35 people in the UK have died since being diagnosed.

Image: Nick Matthews pictured with his wife Mary

The move came as the number of patients who have died in the UK after testing positive for the virus reached 35 on Sunday.

They included 59-year-old Nick Matthews from Bristol, who is believed to be the youngest victim of coronavirus in the UK.

The PM or a "senior" minister will host each briefing and face scrutiny while being joined by a revolving cast of medical and scientific experts, Number 10 said.

A spokeswoman added: "The prime minister and this government are committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way about what we're doing to fight the spread of coronavirus, when we're doing it and why we're doing it.

"At all times, we will be led by the science to bring forward the right responses at the right time to this global pandemic."

Johnson: 'Worst public health crisis for a generation'

Mr Johnson has faced criticism for ministers and advisers allegedly briefing selected journalists over plans to tackle the crisis.

Theresa May's former chief of staff Lord Barwell said on Sunday: "I cannot say this strongly enough: Ministers need to stop anonymously briefing journalists and start speaking directly to the public.

"Trust in government is going to be vital during the difficult months ahead and it is best fostered by transparency, not off-the-record briefing."

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called for the government to publish its modelling so a wider pool of experts can scrutinise the plans.

He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "I just need to understand better why the government is taking a different approach, based on its science, from other countries and I think that's why it is so important that all the scientific modelling, for example, is published.

"If things have changed since the prime minister's press conference on Thursday, then the prime minister should be doing another press conference today and explaining why things have changed."

Over-70s to be asked to self-isolate - health secretary

Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested a decision could be made over whether to ban mass gatherings to aid the fight at Monday's COBRA meeting.

He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that over-70s could be told "in the coming weeks" to stay at home for a period of up to four months to shield themselves from the virus.

But amid confusion as to exactly what such advice will entail, Mr Hancock said on Monday: "It is the case that people will be able to go out and walk the dog. It's about being sensible, but not mixing in crowds."

He also said other severe measures could include police being handed powers to arrest people who are infected but who are not self-isolating.

Bars, restaurants and shops other than supermarkets and pharmacies could be told to shut, the health secretary added.

Jeremy Corbyn has accused the government of being "complacent" and "well behind the curve" in its handling of the coronavirus crisis.

The Labour leader said it was "strange" that ministers were giving advice on COVID-19 which was "different to that given in almost every other European country".

He added: "It seems to me that at every stage, the government just isn't on it and isn't fast enough."

Meanwhile, on Monday morning the PM will ask British manufacturers including the Unipart Group to support the production of essential medical equipment for the NHS.

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He will also speak with all the G7 leaders including US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss a co-ordinated global response to the pandemic.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we're calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertise who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis.

"We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort."

In other developments:

Globally more than 169,000 are infected and over 6,500 have died

US President Donald Trump tests negative for the coronavirus

Guatemala logs its first fatality from COVID-19

Italy records 368 more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, its biggest one day rise

France is preparing an order that would put the country under partial lockdown to combat the epidemic

Britain will isolate older people "within weeks" and force into quarantine anyone diagnosed with coronavirus

"within weeks" and force into quarantine anyone diagnosed with coronavirus Jordan confirms 12 new cases of the coronavirus

More major retailers shut stores in the US including Nike, Under Armour, and Lululemon Athletica

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