UK PUBS, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, nightclubs, gyms and leisure centres have been told to close immediately to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement during his daily address to the nation on Friday afternoon.

Mr Johnson also pleaded with people not to go out socialising and not to think they are "invincible".

"These are places where people come together...but the sad thing is that for now, at least physically, we need to keep people apart," he said.

"Some people may be tempted to go out tonight and I'm saying please don't. You may think that you're invincible...but you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on to others.

"That's how we can protect our NHS and save lives."

Mr Johnson said venues could continue to provide a takeaway service and that the situation would be reviewed "each month" to see if any of the measures could be relaxed.