Britain is effectively under lockdown tonight as the Prime Minister announced unprecedented restrictions to our freedoms.

In an address to the nation, Boris Johnson ordered the nation to stay at home in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The vast majority of shops will close, public gatherings of more than two people will be banned and weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies stopped, although funerals will go ahead.

Police will be able to enforce the new rules with fines and have the powers to break up gatherings.

He told millions of viewers and listeners: "I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.

"Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households."

Mr Johnson said people would be allowed to go out for:

Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

One form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;

Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and

Travelling to and from work, but only where it was absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home

He added: "That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home."

The UK's coronavirus death toll has now exceeded 300.

The total now stands at 335.

A total of 46 more people died in England alongside four in Scotland.

The oldest patient to die in the announcement concerning England was 105 and the youngest 47. All had underlying health conditions.

NHS England said in a statement: "A further 46 people who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 303.

"Patients were aged between 47 and 105-years-old and all had underlying health conditions. Their families have been informed."

In other developments, the UK could face a total lockdown by the end of Monday, March 23, as Brits continue to flout government guidance over self-isolation.

People who are ignoring social distancing advice to stay two metres apart are "very selfish", the Health Secretary has said as he indicated further measures could be brought in to tackle Covid-19.

Nando's, Costa Coffee and Subway have become the latest food and drink firms to close all of their outlets in the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Retail giants including McDonald's and Primark announced full store closures due to the coronavirus pandemic amid growing concerns about safe social distancing.

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted there have been "challenges" with the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline NHS staff after a doctors' leader said they felt they were being treated like "cannon fodder".

Rail franchise agreements are to be suspended to avoid train companies collapsing due to the coronavirus, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

In the West Midlands, a 36-year-old nurse and mother-of-three is on a ventilator in intensive care after contracting coronavirus.

And people in their 30s and early 40s with coronavirus are "fighting for their lives" in intensive care, a Labour MP and practising doctor has said.

It comes as children are painting rainbows and posting them in their windows to bring smiles to passers-by during the coronavirus outbreak.

And Joe Wicks' attempt to keep the nation's children fit during the coronavirus crisis got off to flying start on Monday morning with his first workout racking up hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube.

Meanwhile, all jury trials in England and Wales are to be put on hold as part of ongoing efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19.

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