Secretary of State of Health Matt Hancock (Picture: Reuters)

The Health Secretary has confirmed people aged over 70 will be asked in the coming weeks to self-isolate for up to four months to protect them from coronavirus.

Matt Hancock said it is a ‘very big ask’, but it is a measure which is for their own ‘self-protection’. In an acknowledgement of the almost wartime measures being introduced, Mr Hancock said the steps are ‘very, very significant and they will disrupt the ordinary lives of almost everybody in the country’.

Confirming the Government’s plan this morning, Matt Hancock told Sky: ‘That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.’



Pressed on when the measure will be introduced, he said: ‘Certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely.’ Mr Hancock said ministers are yet to make a decision on whether to ban gatherings of over 500 people in the rest of the UK.


‘We are absolutely ready to do that as necessary,’ he said, but he pointed towards a Cobra meeting being held on Monday when asked when the decision will be made.

‘We will take these decisions at the right time but I’m absolutely prepared to take actions like that if those actions are necessary,’ he told Sky’s Ridge On Sunday.

For the latest coronavirus updates and coverage in the UK and around the world click here.

‘We’ve already seen many sporting events being cancelled and lots of these big gatherings being cancelled.’

He said washing hands and asking the elderly and vulnerable to stay indoors are the ‘really big things’ to slow the spread and save lives.

‘Things like the mass gatherings, actually it doesn’t really matter how big the gathering is. What matters is making sure people who have the illness aren’t spreading it and stay home,’ he added.

In Scotland, there is guidance that events of 500 people or more should be cancelled from Monday.

The elderly will be asked to self-isolate for four months (Picture: Reuters)

Caption: Matt Hancock, coronavirus interview on Sky News 15.03.2020 (Picture: Sky News)

Ten more patients died in England after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK death toll to 21.

The 10 patients who died since Friday were being cared for in Buckinghamshire, Sandwell & West Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Barts, London, north Middlesex and Chester, NHS England said.

A number of the patients, who were over 60, had underlying health conditions.

There have been 1,140 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Saturday, up from 798 at the same time on Friday, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

The US government imposed a travel ban on the UK and Ireland amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Health has launched this coronavirus warning to Britons (Picture: PA)

At a press conference on Saturday President Donald Trump was asked about reports that the US travel ban from Europe would be extended to the UK and Ireland on Monday.

Mr Trump, who confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus, said: ‘We’re looking at it very seriously, yes, because they’ve had a little bit of activity unfortunately, so we’re going to be looking at that.



‘We actually already have looked at it and that is going to be announced.’

Shortly after, US vice president Mike Pence confirmed the ban, saying: ‘In our taskforce meeting today the president has made a decision to suspend all travel to the UK and Ireland, effective midnight Monday night, eastern standard time.’0

Mr Pence said there had been a ‘unanimous recommendation’ from health experts to extend the travel ban.

‘Americans in the UK or Ireland can come home, legal residents can come home … they will be funnelled through specific airports and processed.’

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said earlier on Saturday: ‘I am sorry to confirm 10 further patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 in England have died.

‘All 10 individuals were in the at risk groups. I understand this increase in the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 will be a cause for concern for many.

‘The public should know every measure we are taking is seeking to save lives and protect the most vulnerable.

‘Every single one of us has a role to play in achieving this. If you have a new continuous cough or high temperature, please stay at home for seven days.

‘I also encourage everyone to be washing their hands for 20 seconds regularly.

‘I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends who have received this difficult news. I ask that their privacy is respected at this time.’

What does self-isolation mean? Self-isolation means staying indoors and avoiding all contact with other people for 14 days, according to the NHS. It means no going to work, school, the shops or even to the park for some fresh air, in order to minimise the risk of passing on Covid-19. Public transport and taxis are a no-no and you shouldn’t have visitors over, even if you just stay at home. Anyone in self-isolation is advised to ask friends, family and delivery drivers to pick things up for you and drop them-off. You should put a sign outside telling people you are self-isolating and everything should be left on the floor outside your front door to avoid the risk of further infections. You should leave a sign outside your property if you have to self-isolate (Picture: PA)

Those who are self-isolating are still advised to stay away from their pets as much as possible and to wash their hands before and after touching them. If you live in a house share and have to self-isolate, the advice is to stay in your room with the door closed and only emerge to use communal kitchens, bathrooms and living areas if absolutely necessary. Who should self-isolate? The government advises anyone returning from Category 1 areas (Hubei, Iran, Italy and Daegu or Cheongdo in South Korea), to go straight home and self-isolate, even if they don't display any symptoms. Travellers should use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. Anyone returning from Category 2 areas should self-isolate and call 111 if they have Covid-19 symptoms. You can find the list of those places here.