Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants to close tonight to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

He made the announcement during his daily press conference in London as he pledged once again to defeat Covid-19 within three months. 

Mr Johnson says the Scottish Government, led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, have also agreed to the strict new measures.

He added: “The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice,” he told the daily Covid-19 press conference.

“And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday.

“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.

“And so following agreement with all the … devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow."

Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services

“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale." 

Johnson said the Government would be continually assessing the situation around pubs and cafes and other requested closures “to see if we can relax any of these measures”.

He added: “You may be tempted to go out tonight and I say to you please don’t, you may think that you are invincible – but there is no guarantee that you will get it.

“But you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on.”

He added: “We want you as far as possible to stay at home.”

Meanwhile, Chancellor Sunak said Government grants would cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers of up to a total of £2,500.