British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday night announced strict lockdown measures for the UK in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 335 people there.
In a televised address, Mr Johnson said that gatherings of more than two people would be banned.
"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction: you must stay at home," Mr Johnson said.
He said Britons would be able to leave the house only to shop for essential food and household items, one form of exercise a day and any medical needs.
"That’s all. These are the only reasons you should leave your home," Mr Johnson said.
He urged people not to meet anyone who does not live inside their house.
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Italian police officers carry out document permit checks and self-certifications against citizens walking down in Torino street, Milan. EPA -
A man wearing a protective mask walks in the deserted Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square), the symbol of the city. EPA -
Medical workers stretch a patient from an Italian Red Cross ambulance into an intensive care unit set up in a sports center outside the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. AFP -
Members of the Logistics Brigade of the Spanish Army work to convert a Fira pavilion into a shelter center for homeless people in Barcelona. Reuters -
Relatives react next to a coffin of a person who died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the crematorium of La Almudena cemetery during partial lockdown to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Juan Medina -
A woman wears a face mask as she carries a pack of toilet paper in Berlin's Kreuzberg district. AFP -
Medical personnel demonstrate taking nose and throat mucous samples for coronavirus testing in Munich, Germany. Getty Images -
People walk their dogs in London. Reuters -
The deserted escalators inside Leicester Square underground station in central London. AFP -
Banners showing support for NHS staff are displayed at Stepping Hill Hospital in Manchester. Reuters -
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Tents with intensive care units installed by French Army are seen at a miitary field hospital near Mulhouse hospital. Reuters -
French rescue team wearing protective suits carry a patient on a stretcher from Mulhouse hospital. Reuters
"If you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings," Mr Johnson said.
The government will also close shops that do not sell groceries or essential health items.
Under the rules, other areas including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship, must close immediately.
The government is also stopping all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but funerals will be allowed.
Parks will remain open for now so people can exercise once a day.
Mr Johnson said the rules will be reviewed in three weeks, with an aim of relaxing them if possible.
He made the announcement after chairing a top level emergency meeting of senior ministers, medical advisers and scientists, which was conducted by video conference to avoid the risk of spreading the virus.
"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," he said.
“In this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted.
"Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together, to halt the spread of this disease, to protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.
“And I know that as they have in the past so many times, the people of this country will rise to that challenge. And we will come through it stronger than ever.”
Some Britons were criticised over the weekend for not taking instructions on social isolation seriously enough.
In Wales, Mount Snowdonia had its busiest ever day on Saturday, in a sign that members of the public were not complying with the rules.
Parks and beaches across the country were full of people, prompting a backlash and criticism of the government for not being strict enough.
On Monday, some trains were still packed with commuters.
Monday's announcement follows the government's move to close all concert venues, gyms, restaurants, pubs and theatres on Friday.
Until now, the British government was reluctant to implement the strict self-isolation measures that some countries in Europe brought in.
But Mr Johnson has taken a tougher line since coming under pressure from MPs and public health experts.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that Britons travelling abroad should return home as soon as possible because of increasing complications with international travel.
