
Britons today were getting used to a new world defined by stockpilers and panic-buyers, pub and restaurant closures, and Government orders to self-isolate amid huge socio-economic uncertainty.

The country is lurching towards an unprecedented peacetime lockdown, with once-bustling city centres - from London and Bristol to Glasgow and Cardiff - deserted as people are spooked into social distancing.

But Boris Johnson, who ordered a 14-day closure of public social centres like pubs and gyms, made time to reply to a seven-year-old girl today who told how she cancelled her birthday party twice due to the viral outbreak.

The PM wrote back to Josephine, from Hampshire, saying he was 'glad to hear you are staying at home, though I am sorry to hear about your party' amid fears of Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Mr Johnson told the little girl: 'We have all got to do our bit to protect the NHS and save lives, and that is exactly what you are doing, so well done! You are setting a great example.

'We are working round the clock to keep people safe, and if we work together we can send coronavirus packing. And once we have done that you can DEFINITELY have a party with your friends!'

The PM, who is expecting a baby with fiance Carrie Symonds, added: 'In answer to your question - I'm regularly washing my hands with soap and water for 20 seconds: the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice!'

The heartwarming letter comes as the Pandemic Crisis brings sweeping change to British society, as people adjust to Government efforts to slow the spread of the bug afflicting 180 countries and territories.

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Communities around London were also empty on what would normally be a busy and bustling day for Saturday shoppers. Many high street stores have shut even though they are allowed to stay open. Clockwise from top left: Oxford Street; Waterloo Station; New Bond Street; and Lakeside shopping centre

High street stores closed this weekend even though they could remain open, as people have been spooked into voluntary self-isolation, remote work, and Social Distancing amid Covid-19 paranoia.

London - one of the world's biggest capital cities, with a population of nine million - seems otherworldly as residents stay clear of the city centre, including Waterloo Station, Oxford Street, and Leicester Square.

Shopping malls up and down the country - from Leicester and Windsor to Southampton and Cardiff - are shadows of their busy former selves, while TK Maxx stores across the UK closed.

City Hall and Transport for London have reduced Underground services across all Tube lines, storing trains which are no longer in use in the east. The move follows days of criticism from commuters fearful of overcrowding on the train carriages after many people continued to go into the office for work.

The scenes of eerie desertion come as YouGov revealed nearly 75 percent of people they polled admit to having changed their behaviour in response to Government guidance on coronavirus.

Commissioned by Imperial College London's Patient Experience Research Centre, almost half believe they will become infected, while 93 percent said they took at least one protective measure.

Although the Government's drastic social restrictions do not apply to supermarkets, where - early today - shoppers queued outside to get their hands on supplies, many stores closed voluntarily.

People have attempted to adapt to a new way of life, without many of their normal routines. Some have taken to the streets to exercise after gyms and leisure centres were closed by the PM.

Stark pictures have emerged of empty city centres and roads in Nottingham, Leicester, London and Southampton as people abide by new government rules. Pictured is the Westquay shopping centre in Southampton

A cul-de-sac in Gloucester at the end of Chestnut Road was transformed into a temporary gym for more than 20 people

People across the country are adapting to a new way of life without their normal routines as some have even take to the streets exercise. Pictured: a coronavirus workout in Gloucestershire

People keep their distance from each other during a group workout class in Hyde Park, London, this morning

The town centre of Windsor (pictured) was deserted this morning as the Castle shut its gates for the foreseeable future and people stayed away from the high street

A cul-de-sac in Gloucester was transformed into a temporary gym for more than 20 people this morning, after personal trainer Sarah Burford put a call out on Facebook for a free workout session.

One street market in Lymington, Hampshire continued to sell their wares today, continuing with business as usual - as it has done for more than 600 years and through previous crises.

Meanwhile, police will seek out premises instructed to close which have remained open, and forcibly shut them down using powers granted by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014.

Britain could remain on lockdown for one year, according to the scientists who told the Government to impose panicked and draconian Social Distancing Orders upon millions of Britons.

Documents published by the Government's Scientific Advisory Committee for Emergencies suggest the extraordinary measures will need to be in place longer than mere weeks to prevent a mass outbreak.

They state: 'It was agreed that a policy of alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures could plausibly be effective at keeping the number of critical care cases within capacity.

'These would need to be in place for at least most of a year. Under such a policy, at least half of the year would be spent under the stricter social distancing measures. The triggers for measures to be enacted and lifted could be set at a level of UK nations and regions (for example London).'

Nottingham's Old Market Square and the surrounding streets (including Hockley, bottom left) were completely empty this morning as people stayed clear

A TK Maxx store in Cardiff is left empty after the company shut its UK stores yesterday due to coronavirus panic

A McDonald's in Windsor today was empty after the new rules announced by the Government last night

Cinemas and pubs (pictured in Leicester) will have no customers today as the country goes into lockdown following the PM's announcement last night

The Bluewater shopping centre in Kent was empty today as many shops shut there doors due to the lockdown announced

Stark pictures have emerged of empty town centres and roads as people abide by new Government rules, like in Windsor

A quiet M62 motorway near Liverpool this morning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and gyms across the country to close

The extraordinary closure of leisure and hospitality venues, which does not include shops, came into effect at closing time last night. Pictured: a restaurant in north London shuts up

London Underground trains not being used in east London on Saturday morning as the train service is cut back due to the coronavirus outbreak

The carpark of the East Midlands Designer Outlet was quiet today as people stay at home to stop the spread of the virus

Elsewhere, families escaped the Cabin Fever of self-isolation by taking a long walk up Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain, as a gloomy week concludes with glorious weekend weather.

The coronavirus death toll rose by 40 on Friday to 177, with almost 4,000 infected, although the Government on the advice of its scientific advisers speculate that the real figure is greater than 10,000.

Yesterday a sombre-looking Mr Johnson demanded that pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and sports centres must close 'as soon as they reasonably can and not reopen' for at least two weeks.

He said that measures outlined on Monday for people to voluntarily self-isolate now had to go further as he ordered certain businesses to close their doors for an initial 14 days.

Meanwhile Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the Government will cover 80 percent of salaries of up to £2,500 each month, with workers staying on the books, and there will be no limit on the total cost.

The scheme will be up and running by April 1 and be backdated to the start of the chaos. The Chancellor will also defer £30billion of VAT bills and boost welfare payments by £7billion.

Mr Sunak was panicked into two major interventions after economists criticised him for the smaller measures unveiled in his Budget - and trade unions slammed his £350billion package for not helping workers.

Experts now forecast that Mr Sunak's intervention could save up to 800,000 jobs in Britain's workforce for if and when the country emerges through the Pandemic Crisis.

Walkers on the route up to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain, as the UK lurches towards a lockdown

Large numbers of parked cars on the A470 leading to the walk up to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain

Walkers on the route up to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain, as the UK lurches towards a lockdown

A closed pub in New Cross, south London, after the government ordered the closure of bars, clubs and restaurants due to the coronavirus outbreak

A closed Wetherspoon in Nottingham after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and gyms across the country to close

A quiet street in north London today as restaurants and cafes shut their doors for the foreseeable future

Windsor Castle is now closed to all visitors for the foreseeable future and even the royal mews is shut to official visits

A cafe in north London that would normally be busy on a Saturday morning had its metal shutters down today

Very little traffic was seen on the roads in north London today as people stayed at home during the lockdown

In-demand items, including face masks, latex gloves, hand sanitizers, soap and toilet roll are seen on display in a shop window in Brighton

Despite the nationwide lockdown some couples still got married today. Pictured: Joshua Bicknell, 32, and Jessica Coates, 31, stand at the entrance to Islington Town Hall following their civil partnership ceremony

The extraordinary closure of leisure and hospitality venues, which does not include shops, came into effect at closing time last night. Restaurants, bars and cafes will be allowed to remain open as takeaways.

The restrictions will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Mr Johnson warned those going out could become 'vectors of the disease for older relatives with potentially fatal consequences'.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson told the daily live broadcast from Downing Street: 'You may be tempted to go out tonight and I say to you please don't, you may think that you are invincible - but there is no guarantee that you will get it.

'But you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on.'

He added: 'I do accept that what we're doing is extraordinary - we're taking away the ancient inalienable right of freeborn people of the United Kingdom to go to the pub.'

Corona Panic: Half of adults believe they will be infected and 93 percent one measure to protect themselves from Covid-19, YouGov poll reveals Almost three-quarters of people say they have changed their behaviour in response to Government guidance on coronavirus, with almost half believing they will become infected, a survey found. The YouGov survey, commissioned by Imperial College London's Patient Experience Research Centre, was carried after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new social distancing measures to control the spread of Covid-19. The survey, which aimed to capture public sentiment towards the recommendations announced on March 16, found that 93 percent of adult respondents took at least one measure to protect themselves from infection. However, while 83 percent reported washing their hands more frequently, only half said they avoided social events, while 36 percent said they avoided public transport and 11% avoided going to work. The survey of 2,108 UK adults on March 17 and 18 found that 88 percent of people would be willing to self-isolate for seven days if they were advised to by a health professional. But while 60 percent of professional and managerial workers said they could work from home, only 19 percent of manual, semi-skilled and casual employees reported that they could. National Institute for Health Research senior investigator Helen Ward said: 'The survey shows that most people are listening to Government advice on hand washing, and indicate a willingness to self-isolate if needed. However, people were less convinced about the effectiveness of social distancing measures, and fewer were acting on these. 'While it is encouraging that people are aware and taking some steps to protect themselves and others, there is a need for everyone to take far more action on social distancing if we are to stem the epidemic.' The survey found that 77 percent of people were concerned about the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, with 48 percent of adults who have not tested positive for Covid-19 believing it is likely they will become infected. Almost 60 percent of respondents said they had taken some measures to prepare for self-isolation, with 39 percent stocking up on food and more than a quarter purchasing extra toiletries. While 71 percent said they had changed their behaviour in response to Government guidance, the figure was lower for people aged 18 to 24, at 53 percent. Hand washing and avoiding people with symptoms were more likely to be perceived as 'very effective' measures to prevent disease spread, compared with measures such as not going to work, the survey found. As part of new social distancing measures introduced on March 16, the Government advised people in the UK to stop all non-essential contact with others, end all unnecessary travel and work from home where possible. Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow at Southampton University, said it was 'good to see relatively high proportions of people making efforts to promote good public health practice, for example, with increased levels of handwashing.' But he added: 'Their data shows that 77 percent of people are 'worried' about the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. It would be intriguing to understand the viewpoints of the 23 percent who do not describe themselves as worried. 'Are these people calm and composed and accepting of the current situation, or is there a significant level of complacency resulting in less compliance with social distancing and handwashing?' Advertisement

And still they come! Hundreds of shoppers queue all around Tesco car park before 6am waiting for it to open as police step in and supermarkets hire security guards to stop selfish stockpilers amid coronavirus panic

Hundreds of shoppers were spotted queueing around the entire carpark of a Tesco at 6am today. Shocking drone footage revealed the true extent of panic buying amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The same Tesco in New Malden, London, saw a gigantic queue snake around its carpark at 5.50am yesterday.

Some supermarkets have introduced dedicated hours where NHS workers and the elderly are allowed to shop without other members of the public getting involved. However, younger shoppers were spotted selfishly pushing past elderly people to continue with the panic-buying which has taken over across the nation.

Police were yesterday forced to step in to stop selfish stockpilers from barging past pensioners and ransacking supermarket shelves. Some supermarkets have hired security guards to try and level the playing field for those who are more vulnerable and haven't had a chance to buy essentials during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Marks & Spencer shop in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, was among the first shops to call in police to help ensure older shoppers could use the hour set aside for them.

Asda and Aldi have hired a sports security firm, Showsec, to protect against panic-buyers. And some other 118 stores across the UK have also requested to protection from customers who flout advice to stop panic-buying.

The staff, who are usually escorting boxers to the ring, have been employed to work from 5am to midday.

One Shosec worker told The Sun: 'They cannot handle the trouble. They're calling us in to try and get some order back but it's going to be a mammoth task.'

Supermarkets are desperately trying to keep up with the demand in order to prevent the elderly and NHS staff and emergency workers from having to go without as a result of other selfish shoppers. Tesco is even hiring 20,000 shelf stackers on 12-week contracts, while Aldi is aiming for 9,000 and Asda for 5,000.

Most supermarkets have started limiting purchases and are trying to get shoppers down to just two or three items of food, toiletries and cleaning products.

People queuing up outside Tescos in Aldershot, a day after the Chancellor unveiled an emergency package aimed at protecting workers' jobs and wages as they face hardship in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic

People queuing up outside Sainsburys in Guildford days after the Prime Minister encouraged people to stop panic buying

A sign for customers on entering Tescos in Aldershot telling them there is a limit of three items of any same product and a limit of one toilet roll per customer

People queuing up outside Sainsburys in Guildford despite warnings from the Government about the harms of panic buying

Tesco is hiring 20,000 shelf stackers on 12-week contracts (shoppers queuing outside Tesco at 5.40am in New Malden)

Waitrose has started a £1million community support fund to ensure essential items are delivered to care homes.

And others have taken measures to allow NHS staff priority access after a heartbreaking video of a crying care nurse was released yesterday. Dawn Bilbrough, 51, from York, had just completed a 48-hour shift before visiting her supermarket to pick up basic food items for the next two days when she was left having a 'little cry'.

After discovering there were no fruit and vegetables for her to sustain a healthy living amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the healthcare worker made a tearful plea to the public urging them to 'just stop it'.

The nurse took to Facebook from the seat of her car to tell the nation: 'So I've just come out the supermarket. There's no fruit and veg and I had a little cry in there. I'm a critical care nurse and I've just finished 48 hours of work and I just wanted to get some stuff in for the next 48 hours.

'There's no fruit, there's no vegetables and I just don't know how I'm supposed to stay healthy.

'Those people who are just stripping the shelves have basic foods you just need to stop it because it's people like me that are going to be looking after you when you are at your lowest and just stop it please!'

NHS workers can visit large Tesco stores an hour before the usual opening time every Sunday from tomorrow.

And Marks & Spencer is now dedicating the first hour on Tuesdays and Fridays to emergency workers and the first hour on Mondays and Thursdays will be dedicated to elderly and vulnerable customers.

A Tesco Express in Emmer Green in Reading has put up a sign which reads: 'Please treat our in-store colleagues with respect. We'll report any verbal or physical abuse of our colleagues. Thank you'

A huge queue of people is seen queueing outside an Asda in Middlesex while people continue to panic buy amid the coronavirus pandemic

More indignant shoppers continue to queue up outside an Asda in Middlesex despite warnings from the government that such behaviour will leave vulnerable customers unable to buy essentials

A huge queue of people is seen snaking round the carpark of an Asda in Middlesex while people continue to panic buy amid the coronavirus pandemic

The Royal College of Nursing and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association wrote to store chiefs suggesting the measures. Chief nursing officer for England Ruth May said: 'We're asking all supermarkets to allow all of our healthcare workers easy access to buy their food and vegetables.'

The RCN urged supermarkets to provide priority access to people working in health and care - and to hold back certain items such as toilet paper for all nursing staff. The HCSA, the hospital doctors' union, has asked supermarkets to allow medical staff to place orders that they can collect later when they are off shift.

Susan Maple, aged 77, wiped back tears as she waited outside an Iceland store in Harborne, Birmingham. She was trying to buy supplies for her 90-year-old neighbour who 'can't get out'.

Fellow shopper John Merrill, 76, said: 'I've got some things here which I couldn't get earlier like margarine and toilet rolls. People don't need to stockpile, it's just stupid.'

Social media users have been heaping scorn on shoppers who are taking more than their fair share of precious groceries using the hashtag #stophoarding - calling on their countrymen to be considerate.

Police now have power to shut down ANY pub still open in Britain after drinkers enjoyed one last night out and panic-bought alcohol following Boris Johnson's closure of all bars, cafes, restaurants and gyms due to coronavirus

Police from today will be able to close any pubs or bars that refuse to comply with the government's shutdown of social venues in the latest string of measures aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, officers have been granted the power to revoke operating licences for several different types of venues if they are deemed to be playing a role in disorder.

It comes after drinkers across the country enjoyed a final pint and panic-bought alcohol from supermarkets following Boris Johnson's order for all pubs, clubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and sports centres to close 'as soon as they reasonably can and not to reopen tomorrow'.

Last night out: A group of friends pose for a picture and shout 'Coronavirus!' instead of 'Cheese' on Broad Street in Birmingham after Boris Johnson ordered pubs and nightclubs to close due to COVID-19 crisis

Make mine a double! Patrons were seen dancing at the Lord Stamford public house in Stalybridge on Friday night after the Prime Minister announced the unprecedented move to close all pubs to stop the spread of the coronavirus

Police forces were mobilised to enforce the shutdown, with Chief constables engaging civil contingencies designed to respond to rioting and terrorism, allowing longer shifts and making more officers available.

Ken Marsh, head of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: 'It's very simple. Under licensing laws we can revoke their licences, and then they are breaking the law.'

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt this morning welcomed the government's shutdown of pubs and restaurants, although he suggested the measures should have been enforced sooner.

But thousands of Friday night revellers ignored the government's advice on social distancing as they danced the night away despite the coronavirus death toll rising by 40 on Friday to 177, with almost 4,000 infected, although the real figure is believed to be greater than 10,000.

A sombre-looking PM said that measures outlined on Monday for people to voluntarily self-isolate now had to go further as he ordered premises to close their doors for an initial 14 days, after which it will be reviewed.

'We're taking away the ancient, inalienable right of free-born people of the United Kingdom to go to the pub, and I can understand how people feel about that,' Mr Johnson said.

The Prime Minister's words were beamed out to revellers throughout Britain who had headed to the pub after a week at work, while others rushed to the supermarket to stock up on booze.

Revellers last night appeared to flout the government advice on 'social distancing' as they enjoyed themselves outside O'Neills pub in Clapham, London, ahead of the pub ban coming into force tomorrow