Pub, restaurants, gyms and cinemas are to be ordered to close by the Government from this weekend

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak unveiled the need to enforce their advice to people given on Monday to avoid visiting bars and restaurants and cinemas, although they have stressed that these businesses can act as takeaways where possible if social distancing can be observed by the public.

They have also widened the scope to closing leisure centres and gyms, so this will mean venues such as Sleaford Leisure Centre and the Better Gym on East Road, as potentially privately run gyms around the district, will have to close.

People were advised to exercise in the open air at home and outdoors away from each other to prevent the spread of infection.

The Prime Minister said that licensing powers by local authorities should be sufficient to enforce this although he hoped most businesses would comply in order to protect the NHS and enable it to save lives.

He said: “I do accept what we are doing is extraordinary - we are taking the ancident right for UK people to go to the pub.” But he said people going against the advice were endangering themselves, their families, the community and the NHS and slowing down efforts to overcome the disease.

A greater package of support has been put forward for businesses, with the government to give grants to pay up to 80 per cent of wages of employees not able to work, up to £2,500 a month. It covers everyone in the PAYE system and is not limited by size or sector of company.

Promising to pay 80 per cent of workers’ salaries means that businesses no longer need to lay off entire workforces.

The fact this pay is backdated to March 1 means that staff who have already been axed can be re-employed and suffer no loss of earnings.

VAT on firms will also be deferred until the end of June. Business interruption loans to firms would also be extended interest free for 12 months instead of six as previously outline.

People were encouraged not to allow children to join in team games, but welcomed them to play together at a safe distance from each other.

Mr Johnson said it was “absolutely vital” that people avoid unnecessary social contact and the country would be able to get on top of the spread and turn the tide.

He also again urged people to “shop responsibly and considerately” insisting that the supermarkets had fantastic supply chains.

A news separate supply chain had been set up to make sure NHS and social care staff had adequate supplies of the correct protective clothing.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said business rate relief was supporting charities and and voluntary groups and he did not rule out going further in his support.

Universal Credit allowance will be increased to £1,000 a year. Self assessments deferred until start of next year. Self-employed will get full Universal Credit at rate equivalent to statutory sick pay and there will £1 billion of support for renters by increasing housing benefit and Universal Credit.