ESSENTIAL JOURNEYS ONLY: PM

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson last night ordered Brits to stay at home in a bid to stem the rising number of coronavirus deaths.

He locked down all non-essential retail stores for at least three weeks and warned people they must comply with the rules or face police action.

Mr Johnson ordered everyone not to leave home or meet anyone outside their household – even family members living elsewhere – unless it was to buy food, medical necessities, carry out essential work or help the vulnerable.

People will be allowed to exercise alone – but only once a day.

Shops selling non-essential goods are shut and all gatherings, including weddings, banned. Funerals are allowed.

He said: “The police will have powers to enforce them including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

“The way ahead is hard. It is still true that many lives will be sadly lost.”

Death

The UK death toll from Covid-19 jumped to 335 yesterday.

A further 46 patients died in England as Wales and Scotland both announced four more deaths each.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock blasted those flouting the previous advice to stay two metres apart, saying: “They’re helping to spread the virus – and the consequences of that costs lives and it means that, for everyone, this will go on for longer.”

A nurse issued a furious plea to people to heed the advice and stay at home – or lives will be on the line. The woman, who did not want to be named, is an operating theatre medic on Teesside and also a mum.

She wrote on Facebook: “Do you really want it on your conscience if a member of your family dies and it could have been your selfishness and stupidity that caused it? It’s going to come to a point where our doctors are going to have to make decisions about who will live and who won’t, because there just won’t be the resources for everyone who becomes ill.”

London Underground staff were “furious” after trains remained packed despite passengers being urged not to travel unless they are key workers.