The prime minister Boris Johnson has announced new restrictions on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

People will now only be allowed to leave their home for very limited purposes such as shopping for basic necessities or medical needs.

In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said tonight, "The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades - and this country is not alone.

"All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer."

Mr Johnson added: "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."

Mr Johnson said people had been asked 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.

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

"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."

The Prime Minister added: "That's all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.

"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."

Mr Johnson added: "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."

Mr Johnson said: "No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.

"I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people's lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.

"And that's why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.

"And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.

"But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.

"And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through."