Prime minister Boris Johnson has imposed an unprecedented three-week nationwide lockdown across the UK in an attempt to bring a halt to the coronavirus outbreak.

All British households have been told to stay at home except for a strictly limited set of purposes – with police having powers to enforce the instructions with fines.

Shops selling non-essential goods have been ordered to close, along with libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.

Weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies are being stopped, but funerals will continue to go ahead. And all public gatherings of more than two people – except for members of the same household – will be banned.

From Monday evening, people will only be allowed to leave their homes for:

– Shopping for basic necessities “as infrequently as possible”;

– One exercise outing a day – for example, a run, walk or cycle;

– Medical needs or caring for a vulnerable person;

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