Here's why Britain could face the same lockdown situation as Italy as coronavirus spreads

As the virus crisis continues to deepen, the UK looks ever more likely to go into full lockdown

Lockdowns in countries like France and Italy have been used to limit the movement of the countries’ populations, with workers being told to stay at home and residents having to apply to make trips.

Could the same end up happening in the UK?

What other measures could be brought in?

At the time of writing, the government advice is to “avoid” unnecessary social contact and travel.

It had been strongly advised that people also stay away from places in which large numbers of people congregate, like pubs, clubs, restaurants, and theatres.

But as of Friday (20 March), business like these have been ordered to close by the government.

Despite the social distancing advice, it’s been reported that many parks, beaches and other public spaces have been overcrowded over the weekend, with people enjoying the weather much closer together than the suggest two metres apart.

What has happened elsewhere?

Countries like Italy and France have already imposed mandatory lockdowns to help protect their populations from Covid-19.

In Italy, citizens had to make an application to prove that their planned travel was necessary, and in France, only the most essential trips are allowed to be made.

Extra police patrol the streets of cities like Paris, handing out fines of up to €350 (around £330) to those who flout the rules without good reason.

In most countries affected by lockdowns, residents are still allowed out to stock up on supplies from grocery stores, or to exercise – at a safe distance from others.

Could a lockdown happen in the UK?

As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise, it’s clear that more dramatic measures may be needed to stem its spread.

And with many flouting the advice put in place by the government, it’s expected that such measures could be in place within the next few days.

It seems likely that the UK could follow the examples set by its European counterparts and introduce tougher controls, and the Government "may have to take further action" if people continue to flout social distancing rules of staying two metres away from each other.

Speaking to Sky News, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This is not the sort of thing that anybody would want to do but, of course, it is the sort of thing we might have to do in order to protect life.

"If you do go out, you must not get closer than two metres from someone who isn't in your household.

"It is a really simple rule and incredibly important, because to protect life and the NHS we need to stop the spread of this virus and the virus spreads by people coming into close contact with each other."

"Nothing is off the table" in terms of the future action which could be taken, adding: "I do not want to pre-judge the discussions we will have today to make a decision on those things. Ultimately, it is a decision for the prime minister.

"I advise him on what I think needs to happen and I am really clear, people need to stay more than two metres apart. We have got to see that happen because that is the only way to protect life."

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam – leader of the Health Protection Research Group at Nottingham University – told the BBC: "We don't rule out taking further measures if these are necessary but much of this depends on how the next two weeks play out."

Whether any enforced lockdown is applied countrywide or only to major towns and cities, remains to be seen, but government officials are doing everything they can to reassure the public that life will go on as normal for as long as it can, and Downing Street has dismissed suggestions of a travel ban in and around the capital entirely.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London.”

How long could a lockdown last?

If tougher measures were to be brought in, Professor Van-Tam could not rule out that they may have to last for a year, but predicted they will last at least "several months".

He told Today that more people will encounter the coronavirus and become resistant with so-called herd immunity, but said "that will take time".