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Brits will be banned from France unless the UK adopts the same radical coronavirus measures as European countries, the French Prime Minister has warned.

During a live TV address from Paris on Tuesday, Edouard Philippe said Britain was lagging behind in the ‘war’ against the deadly illness that has killed 71 people in the UK.

He said: "Everyone within the European Union must adopt coherent methods and processes to fight the epidemic, as in Italy, France and Spain.

"It goes without saying that if neighbouring states such as the United Kingdom spend too long continuing to avoid these containment measures, then we would have difficulty accepting British nationals who would move freely in their own country and then come to our country."

Mr Philippe was speaking on the first day of a nationwide lockdown in his own country, which has seen major cities including Paris grind to a halt.

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(Image: PA)

If a French ban was introduced it will cause huge problems for the millions of British nationals who have professional and personal links with France.

The British make up the biggest foreign visitor group to Paris, which is normally the most popular tourist city in the world.

While restrictions on movement and lifestyle are growing every day in EU countries, post-Brexit Britain is perceived to be lagging behind.

France has ordered bars and restaurants to shut down, for example, while in the UK managers can make their own decision.

(Image: Getty Images)

In another solemn live TV address on Monday evening, President Emmanuel Macron pledged to put €300billion (£273billion) into ‘the war against Coronavirus’.

There are currently 100,000 police and gendarmes officers enforcing draconian restrictions, which include everybody needing an official document to leave the house.

Fines for anyone caught without these ‘attestations’ will rise to the equivalent of around £118 on Wednesday.

Mr Macron said: "Walking, meeting friends in the park or in the street will no longer be possible.

"It is a question of limiting as much as possible all contact beyond the home. All over French territory, in mainland France as well as overseas, only necessary journeys must remain necessary."

Admitting that the economic cost would be enormous, Mr Macron said: "All businesses must organise to facilitate remote work. And when that is not possible, they will have to adapt their organization to enforce these new measures."

Government grants will be made available to those facing bankruptcy, while tax demands will be frozen.

There are currently 7,730 people known to infected by Coronavirus in France, while 175 are dead and 400 in intensive care in hospitals which are struggling to cope.