Coronavirus spreading more rapidly in London

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the transmission of the coronavirus is happening more rapidly in London.

Speaking in his daily press conference, dedicated to coronavirus, Johnson said that the capital is weeks ahead of other regions in terms of the virus curve, meaning transmission is happening more rapidly. As a result he urged Londoners to particularly follow the latest Public Health England advice, including to work from home where possible and to avoid unnecessary social contact.

He said: “The very draconian measures outlined will be asking a lot from the everyone. What we're doing is giving very strong advice that public venues such as theatres should no longer be visited. It's important that Londoners now pay special attention to what we're saying about non-essential contact and to take particularly seriously the advice about working from home and avoiding confined spaces such as pubs and restaurants."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told BBC London that the Tube would run a Saturday service on weekdays, with research finding that passenger numbers on the London Underground have declined 19 per cent during the outbreak.

As of 16 March, London has 480 confirmed coronavirus cases. A total of 55 people have died in the UK due to Covid-19 - 14 of whom were from London.