BORIS Johnson has hinted that London could be the first part of the UK to be put on a coronavirus lockdown.
That could mean extra measures keeping Londoners in their home unless they’re going to the supermarket or pharmacy.
A third of all the UK’s coronavirus deaths and all of the UK’s reported cases so far are in the city.
Asked about a London lockdown at his daily coronavirus briefing, the Prime Minister said: “We’ve always said that we are going to do the right measures at the right time. We live in a land of liberty, we don’t tend to impose those sort of restrictions.
“But I have to tell you, we will rule nothing out. We will bring forward further and faster measures where necessary.”
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Scottish Government match UK measures to help business
Reports suggest he has asked Government departments to draw up plans for restrictions and how they could be implemented.
It could mean businesses closed and restrictions placed on travel.
In France and Italy, people are only allowed to leave their house for essential trips such as going to the supermarket and pharmacy.
All schools, restaurants, bars and cafes are shut.
People are only allowed out of their houses with appropriate paperwork.
A Government source told The Times that the London restrictions would not be introduced in the next 48 hours and were only being considered because some people in London are ignoring the official advice.
READ MORE: Scotland's schools to close and may not re-open before summer
Asked if London would be placed in “lockdown”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s a question of what you mean by that.
“In terms of the measures that we’re taking, we’ve always said they’ll always be based on the latest and the best scientific advice including from the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser.”
Asked if people could be barred from leaving home without paperwork to show they have a legitimate reason, Johnson’s spokesman said: “We’ve set out the steps which we think are necessary at this point in time.
“But we will be guided by scientific and medical advice to ensure we take the right steps to protect the public.”
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