SELFISH Brits face a tougher coronavirus crackdown within hours, after the public continues to disobey rules to stop lives being lost.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more action was on the way if the population flouted guidelines to keep everyone safe.
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Speaking after Boris Johnson warned there would be more to come, Mr Hancock said: "People need to stay two metres apart.
"If that isn't followed, we are going to have to take more draconian action.
"As Health Secretary, I'm working every hour there is protect people."
Actions which could be on the cards could include dramatic measures to force people to stay in their homes.
Already parks and open spaces are being shut as people cram themselves in to try and get fresh air, but the Government may take action to close them across the board.
It came as:
- An 18-year-old was thought to have become the youngest victim of the virus in Britain as the number of deaths in the UK rose to 281 yesterday
- There are growing fears that Britain is on a similar trajectory to Italy – scene of the world's worst outbreak – where the death toll passed 5,000 over the weekend
- The PM warned the NHS could be "overwhelmed" in the same way as the Italian healthcare system has been, if the spread of the virus in the UK is not curbed
- Trains were taken under government control this morning – with Brits able to get a refund on unused season tickets
- All McDonalds branches will be closed from tonight
- Ministers will bring forward emergency laws to the Commons tonight giving the PM sweeping powers to fine people who don't isolate
In France and Italy already people have to have paperwork to leave their house and face on the spot fines if they do not obey the rules.
Some countries have one nominated person who can go out and get shopping and other supplies.
Germany has banned more than two people from meeting at a time.
Ministers are also considering wider shutdowns of shops and other public spaces, it was claimed this morning.
Last week No10 played down the prospect of a London travel ban – insisting that travel both in and out of the capital would not be shut.
Labour's Jonathan Ashworth said they would support a tougher crackdown too, saying: "If voluntary social distancing measures are not adhered to, the government must bring forward their plans for stronger action."
This morning pictures from tube trains showed rammed carriages as Brits continued going to work.
Ministers have said no one should be commuting unless they are a key worker – or they absolutely have to.
This morning schools are only open to the children of essential workers like NHS and police staff – and everyone else is being told to keep their kids at home to stop the spread of the killer bug.
Over the weekend thousands flocked to holiday homes, caravan sites and other rural hotspots to try and escape the virus, despite ministers insisting non-essential travel should be stopped last week.
Mr Hancock blasted them this morning, saying: "It's very selfish.
"If people go within two metres of others who they don't live with, they are helping to spread the virus – that costs lives."
He got into a row with furious Piers Morgan this morning, who insisted that the Government must lock down the entire country to stop the spread.
The Good Morning Britain host raged at the "morons on the streets" who aren't listening to the PM.
"In Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, all of these are in almost total lock down and we are seeing these catastrophic pictures, people going out partying like its a bank holiday.
"People are not listening.
"They want clear direction, they are too stupid to make that decision themselves.
"We are risking lives!
"Every day we are not locking down, we are putting health workers at greater risk."
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said yesterday people who were congregating were "dangerous" and making outside environments "unavailable" to others.
Yesterday it was announced the National Trust would close all of its parks and gardens, with many other large parks around the country following suit – but many have remained open.
On Friday night, the PM ordered pubs and restaurants to close as part of efforts to encourage people to stay at home to fight the spread of Covid-19.
However many have remained open for takeaway service, leading to queues and groups of people sitting at cafes with outdoor tables.
A government source said it was a question of how long it would be before more lockdown measures come.
They said: "It is inevitable, you just have to look at other countries. The sooner you do it the better."
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MPs said there was now a clear mood for firmer action amid fears that further delay would cost lives.
Conservative former Cabinet minister Julian Smith said he would support "any measure" the government brought forward to force people to comply with the guidance.
Mr Smith, the former Northern Ireland secretary, said: "Many people have recklessly ignored government advice this weekend.
"I will support any measure the Government needs to force people to follow the guidelines designed to protect NHS staff and UK citizens' lives."
Meanwhile London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I am clear, life has changed and we have to do things differently for a while now.
"Social interaction will spread the virus. Do shopping for elderly neighbours, only buy what you need."
He added: "There are instructions and rules we need to obey to stop people dying.
"Making sure there is no confusion or mixed messages, people should not be leaving their homes unless they have to, they can walk dogs or exercise, but mixing socially leads to more people dying."
The Sun Says – A bunch of irresponsible idiots could cost us all our cherished freedoms
FOR the sake of this country — and to save the lives of others — we all need to take responsibility for our behaviour.
If we don’t then we face an Italy-style lockdown and will be forced to wave goodbye to our cherished freedoms.
It is often impossible for families to stay cooped up inside for days on end.
Parents of young children, especially, will find it tough. But there has to be some common sense.
We must all do our best to follow the Government’s advice to leave a 2-metre gap between ourselves and the next person when outdoors.
Yes, a bunch of irresponsible idiots think they’re invincible and are choosing to flout the rules. Flocking to beaches and parks to sunbathe in large groups is plainly not sensible.
Despite dire warnings that we are only a fortnight behind Italy where so many have died, large numbers of people here are still not getting the message.
Most Brits are keen to do what’s right.
But if not enough of us take heed then we face restrictions the like of which have never been seen before.
The stakes really are that high.
In his address to the nation yesterday, Mr Johnson said: "I don't think you need to use your imagination very much to see where we might have to go, and we will think about this very very actively in the next 24 hours.
"We need to think about the kind of measures we've seen elsewhere – other countries that have been forced to bring in restrictions on people's movements altogether, now as I say I don't want to do that."
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