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Boris Johnson has ordered people to stay in their homes as the UK enters a total lockdown.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation this evening following an emergency meeting of his Cobra committee which was looking at new measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The meeting came after a weekend where many people ignored the government's guidance on strict social distancing measures - with large crowds flocking to parks, beaches and other beauty spots.

On Friday Mr Johnson ordered the closure of pubs, bars, restaurants, theatres, leisure centres and gyms in a move to stop people socialising.

But after the evidence of the weekend, he has now gone further.

Speaking to the nation tonight, the Prime Minister said: "Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.

"And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger.

"To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.

"So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.

"Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS’s ability to cope - and save more lives.

'You must stay at home'

"And that’s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.

"And though huge numbers are complying – and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more.

(Image: PA)

"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home."

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

"That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

- 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 this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

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

Police will enforce measures

Speaking to the nation tonight, Boris Johnson confirmed that the police will take action to enforce the new measures.

He said: "You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.

"You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.

"You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine — and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.

"If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

"To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:

"- Close all shops selling non-essential goods,​ including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries,playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;

"- We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with; and we’ll stop all social events​, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.

"Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed."

Death toll rises

Today the death toll for those who have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK rose to 335 in total.

NHS England confirmed a further 46 people had died in England alone in the last 24 hours.

Amongst those was the first confirmed death in Merseyside, a 78-year-old man in Wirral.

Speaking about the sad news, Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said:

“Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Arrowe Park Hospital, and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died

“The patient was aged 78 and had underlying health conditions.

“His family have been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”