How UK’S rules compare with Europe

Boris Johnson has locked down the UK for three weeks to “protect the NHS and save lives”.

From today, you can only leave your home for four reasons:

♦ Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

♦ One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk or cycle – alone or with household members

♦ For a medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

♦ Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

Police will have the power to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

Shops selling non-essential goods – such as clothing and electronic stores – and libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship – must close.

Gatherings of more than two people in public – except for people you live with – are no longer allowed.

Weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies are banned. Funerals will be allowed.

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

France is under a full lockdown until the end of March, but this is likely to be extended.

People may only leave home with a good reason.

Schools, nurseries and universities are closed. From today, open-air food markets will close and just one hour of outdoor exercise per day is allowed, with people staying within 1km of their home.

Spain has extended its tough controls for 15 more days.

The army is guarding critical infrastructure and private hospitals have been nationalised.

Schools and public spaces are closed, and citizens are only allowed to leave home to go to work and buy essentials.

Italy has been under an almost-total lockdown for two weeks.

On Saturday, “non-strategic” business activities were shutdown.

Factories and offices are off limits, while only banks, pharmacies, post offices and supermarkets remain open.

Universities, schools and nurseries are shut.

Germany has, until recently, had some of the more lenient restrictions.

There has not been a lockdown, but non-essential shops, bars, museums and other facilities are shut.

Public gatherings have been limited to no more than two people, like in the UK.

On Friday, Bavaria and Saarland enforced lockdowns while Saxony opted for a curfew.

Schools have been shut.