Brits defied the government's warnings as they hits pubs and nightclubs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Revellers hit nightclubs across London, Newcastle and Manchester last night, despite scientists warning that 'social distancing' was necessary in a bid to quell the number of Covid-19 fatalities.

Popworld in Essex told customers it would remain open on Fridays and Saturdays as normal, while Walkabout in Chelmsford assured part goers it would be business as usual, albeit with different opening hours.

People enjoying an evening at a JD Wetherspoon in The Mile Castle, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Popworld in Essex told customers it would remain open on Fridays and Saturdays as normal

People were not worried about coronavirus at Cirque Le Soir in Soho last night

Drinkers were also seen in full swing at Cirque Le Soir in Soho, London and Walkabout Chelmsford, Essex.

American actor William Shatner also held an audience with fans at the Hammersmith Apollo yesterday evening, after Boris Johnson addressed the nation.

Hours earlier, the government issued a stark warning to Britons, urging them to avoid social situations unless absolutely necessary.

In a report, scientists warned that around 250,000 people would die in Britain as a result of the coronavirus outbreak unless more draconian measures are adopted to protect the population.

The Imperial College Covid-19 response team - which has been advising ministers - said that even with the 'social distancing' plans set out by the Government, the health system will be 'overwhelmed many times over'.

In its latest report, it said the only 'viable strategy' was a Chinese-style policy of 'suppression' involving the social distancing of the entire population.

In response, some of the Capital's top clubs told customers they would close temporarily to protect public health.

Ministry of Sound nightclub in the Capital last night announced it would temporarily close, as did Egg London and Fabric London.

Drinkers were also seen in full swing at Cirque Le Soir in Soho, London

Tourists try to get into a closed Temple Bar pub in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

These chaps took to social media to defy the ban as they enjoyed pints in a pub

These St Patrick's Day drinkers were out hitting the alcohol last night in Manchester

People continued to hit the sauce for a 'girly night out' at a Wetherspoon last night

Wetherspoon at The Mile Castle in Newcastle was packed with drinkers last night

The Prime Minister yesterday told Britons to work from home and avoid social gatherings where necessary.

In a dramatic u-turn, Boris Johnson acknowledged that 'drastic action' was required to quell the spread of the deadly coronavirus which has killed 55 and infected more than 1,500 throughout the country.

Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister announced millions of the elderly and most vulnerable will need to 'shield' themselves from social contact and stay at home for three months from this weekend.

The new measures – including bans on social gatherings – could need to stay in place for around 18 months until a vaccine becomes available, the Imperial College London researchers said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced that the UK was going to war with the coronavirus – people were urged to work from home, not to socialise and to self-isolate if anyone in their house becomes ill

UK authorities had confirmed 1,543 cases of the coronavirus and 55 deaths by yesterday. The true number of infected people is believed to be higher than 25,000

TV chefs Simon Rimmer and Aldo Zilli blast Boris Johnson as restaurants and pubs face ruin over coronavirus TV chefs Simon Rimmer and Aldo Zilli have slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson as restaurant takings plunge by up to 66 per cent after he told Britons to steer clear of eateries. Mr Rimmer told today how he fears 'going out of business' after his restaurant takings were down 66 per cent last night following the government's advice on avoiding restaurants. This is while Mr Zilli said things would 'probably get worse' and claimed his company had been struggling for weeks, he also called on the government to help the ailing businesses. Simon Rimmer above) told today how he fears 'going out of business' after his restaurant takings were down 66 per cent In comes as insurers today clarified that most businesses would not be covered by their insurance even if the government did order them to close their doors. Sunday Brunch star Mr Rimmer said he feared for his 400 members of staff working at his 13 restaurants and pubs. Last night Boris Johnson warned people against going to bars, restaurants and theatres to halt the killer Covid-19 bug but stopped short of shutting them down. That means that businesses will not be insured over loss of earnings because there are no enforced closures. The Association of British Insurers trade body said most policies do not include this in business interruption cover and so a government order to shut would not have made a difference. The ABI statement read: 'Irrespective of whether or not the Government orders closure of a business, the vast majority of firms won't have purchased cover that will enable them to claim on their insurance to compensate for their business being closed by coronavirus. Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Aldo Zilli (above) said his company would try and keep as many staff home as possible 'Standard business interruption cover – the type the majority of businesses purchase – does not include forced closure by the authorities as it is intended to respond to physical damage at the property which results in the business being unable to continue to trade. 'A small minority of typically larger firms might have purchased an extension to their cover for closure due to any infectious disease. 'In this instance an enforced closure could help them make the claim, but this will depend on the precise nature of the cover they have purchased so they should check with their insurer or broker to see if they are covered.' And Mr Rimmer took to Twitter this morning to vent his frustrations and in a series of tweets said: 'After a day when our government tells us to avoid going to bars n restaurants - takings in my 13 sites were down by 66% last night. 'We have no insurance claims to protect us as it's not an enforced closure. It won't take long for us to go out of business permanently. 'I employ 400 plus people. They rely on me to pay their bills etc. Now I don't know if I can do that for them.' He added: 'I know lots of you are suggesting we become a delivery based business. It's not that simple. You can't deliver pints etc. And restaurants aren't just about food it's about a whole experience. Plus we have mainly city centre sites. 'This is an issue about insurance and legislation. We all want the virus contained and eliminated but what does the other side look like business and job wise?' Mr Rimmer, 56, co-owns the award winning Greens vegetarian restaurant in Didsbury, Manchester and is a director of the Flying Pig & Lobster pub restaurant chain Which runs The Elephant pub and bake house and Liberty Tavern in Woolton near his native Liverpool. Mr Zilli runs a number of restaurants including San Carlo Cicchetti in London appeared on Good Morning Britain this morning to talking about how the government announcement was affecting his business. Advertisement

unlike New York - where all bars and restaurants have been compelled to close by 8pm local time tonight - Mr Johnson said he would rely on businesses and Britons to follow guidance.

The PM told a Downing Street press conference: 'If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities.

'If that is not possible, you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies.'

Most insurance wouldn't pay pubs, restaurants or theatres even if the Government ordered them to close their doors, insurers say Most businesses would not be covered by their insurance even if the government did order them to close their doors, insurers clarified today. Following the Prime Minister's advice to the public yesterday to stay away from pubs, restaurants, clubs and theatres, concerns were raised that firms would not be able to claim on their business interruption insurance without a government order to close. But today, the Association of British Insurers trade body released a statement saying that even if these businesses were ordered to close their doors, insurers were still unlikely to pay out. It said most policies do not include this in business interruption cover and so a government order to shut would not have made a difference. The ABI statement read: 'Irrespective of whether or not the Government orders closure of a business, the vast majority of firms won't have purchased cover that will enable them to claim on their insurance to compensate for their business being closed by coronavirus. 'Standard business interruption cover – the type the majority of businesses purchase – does not include forced closure by the authorities as it is intended to respond to physical damage at the property which results in the business being unable to continue to trade. 'A small minority of typically larger firms might have purchased an extension to their cover for closure due to any infectious disease. 'In this instance an enforced closure could help them make the claim, but this will depend on the precise nature of the cover they have purchased so they should check with their insurer or broker to see if they are covered.' The statement comes as businesses anxiously await an announcement on help for those affected by coronavirus and the lockdown. There is immense pressure on the Government to come up with some form of huge scheme to tide firms over until people are told that they no longer need to stay at home and practice social distancing. This could potentially involve a state-backed business interruption insurance scheme, with all firms able to claim. In the recent Budget Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a ' coronavirus business interruption loans scheme ', with banks to offer loans of up to £1.2million to small and medium-sized businesses. Sunak said: 'The government will offer a generous guarantee on those loans, covering up to 80 per cent of losses, with no fees, so that banks can lend with confidence. 'This will unlock up to £1billion of attractive working capital loans to support small businesses, with more as needed.' Some businesses have complained they are too big to benefit from the rates holiday, or £3,00 grants, while freelancers and the self-employed say they are having work cancelled without a safety net. Advertisement

'Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and stop all non-essential travel. We need people to start working from home where they possible can. You should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.'

At the Eastern Star Chinese takeaway in Earls Court, owner Goh Han revealed that business had actually picked up following the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in China.

He said: 'At first, we were very badly hit, and business was down by around 90 per cent. We are still struggling but I'd say we were down by about 50 per cent now.

'Chinese food as a whole has been very badly hit but it's all down to ignorance. China is more than 5,000 miles away, we only use locally sourced ingredients so what happens in that country has got nothing to do with us.'

Mr Han, 60 added: 'If the government wants a lockdown then they should do it properly because that way, at least we could get some financial assistance from our insurance. At the moment, there is only scare mongering and conflicting advice and that's not helping us.'

Across the capital in Ealing, West London, Anna Ka, who runs the Sowo Café had already contacted her insurance company about business interruption payments because of the devastating impact coronavirus has had on her Polish eatery.

Ms Ka, 35, estimates that the number of customers has fallen by 50 per cent to 60 per cent.

She said: 'The insurance company told me that I would not be entitled to anything because the government has not enforced a compulsory closure and also because coronavirus is not on their official list of viruses covered by our insurance.

'The way we are being treated is disgraceful; the government has to do something. I employ 40 staff, we still have to pay them, maintain overheads and remain open. Our livelihoods are at stake and we are not being given the necessary help. It would be better for the entire hospitality industry if we were forced to close.'

For one savvy businessman however, coronavirus has been an unexpected marketing opportunity.

Aish Al Shokairy, who runs a vegan fast food kiosk in Ealing, West London, has been proclaiming to customers that the best way to boost their immune system to help fight off coronavirus is to sample his fare.

Mr Al Shokairy said: 'As people walk by, I tell them about the benefits of vegan food because it's the best thing you can eat at the moment if you want to protect yourself. Business is down but not that badly for me because I think people are looking for all kinds of ways to protect themselves from coronavirus.

'We are in an awful situation, people are scared, and the government could be doing a lot more; that includes helping financially and promoting vegan food.'

In a special plea to the capital, Mr Johnson said people there were at the highest risk. 'It looks as though London is now a few weeks ahead... it's important that Londoners now pay special attention to what we are saying about avoiding all non-essential contact.'

The move came after ministers were warned the death toll from the virus could hit 260,000 unless dramatic measures were taken immediately.

But some businesses reacted angrily today and said that only being advised to close rather than being forced would mean they could not claim insurance.

Nik Antona, from the Campaign for Real Ale, said: 'The lack of decisive instruction from the Government leaves pubs in a limbo where customers will abandon them, but they'll be unable to claim insurance or other support to help them survive.

'The Government has not defined how long people should stay away from pubs, but be in no doubt, within a short time many pubs and breweries will close and never reopen to serve their communities.'