Boris Johnson considers UK for total ‘lockdown within 20 days’

The government has stepped up their “wartime” extreme measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but Boris Johnson has refused to rule out placing entire cities in the UK in total lockdown.

ITV’s Shebab Khan, who spoke with government sources said on Saturday evening, “The approach and strategy is to delay the spread of the virus so the measures could include closing down schools, bars, clubs, shops, restaurants.

“Tonight, the government has refused to rule out locking down entire cities if it gets to that stage.

“These are very serious measures being considered. This will all be a part of the emergency legislation for parliament.”

The UK shutdown of entire cities could be imposed within just 20 days, according to ITV.

The government has planned other emergency measures which include the forced requisitioning of hotels, private hospitals and other buildings as temporary hospitals.

The health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday the UK has not been tested like this “since the Blitz.”

He further said that every Briton aged over 70 will be told “within the coming weeks” to stay at home, possibly for up to four months.

Hancock told the BBC when the rule is enforced by the government it will last “a very long time.”

The UK has now surpassed 1,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus as the pandemic spreads globally, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 1,140 on Saturday afternoon, up from 820.

10 more people have died in the UK, bringing the total confirmed coronavirus deaths to 21 across the UK.