The UK Prime Minister has warned citizens to “stay home” if they have a cough or live with anyone who does.

“Do not even go for food,” he warns.

“Now is the time to stop non-essential contact.”

Boris Johnson has told Britons to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres and to only make essential journeys in the “national fightback” against the pandemic.

The prime minister told a live televised news conference the number of coronavirus cases in the UK could double every five or six days without “drastic action”.

“Today, we need to go further, ” Mr Johnson said.

“By this coming weekend it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12-weeks,” he added.

The prime minister said the measures were “worth it” to enable the NHS to cope with COVID-19.