Boris Johnson says he "doesn't want to get into moral name calling" and accepts that "what we're doing is extraordinary" by taking away the right of British people "to go to the pub".

"I understand how people feel," he adds.

But, he says to those "who go against the clear advice" from experts, that they would not only be putting their lives and their families' lives at risk - but "you're endangering the community" and making it harder to help the NHS and save lives.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries - who is also at the news conference with the prime minister and the chancellor - is asked if children can still go to the park and have play dates with their friends.

There is a balance to be struck "between maintaining physical and mental wellbeing", she says.

"We aren't saying don't go outside. We're saying go outside but in way that reduces your social contact.

"We very much we want children to be exercising, but not to do so in groups."

She suggests that a bike ride might be appropriate.

On transport, Boris Johnson says - in response to a question - that the government does not want to impose severe restrictions on major transport networks.

"Transport is fundamental to our ability to deliver vital public services.

"I was pretty clear that we don't want, for instance, to immobilise the Tube or our major transport networks.

"It's just too important for the delivery of crucial public services."

"If we don't get this right, we will see thousands of lives lost needlessly," says Mr Johnson. "We have the opportunity to get on top of this and turn the tide."

It is necessary and right for the government to stand behind businesses and workers, he adds.

Earlier Mr Johnson also said he is confident the UK economy can bounce back.

Nick Eardley
Political correspondent

This is a colossal intervention from the government - as the chancellor said, unprecedented in the UK.

It reflects how concerned the government is about the economic impact this crisis could have - and is having already.

It’s worth remembering this is the third big intervention from government in recent days. This crisis has changed all the rules completely.

There is a "massive effort" going on to make sure there are enough ventilators and intensive care spaces for everyone who has the virus, the prime minister says.

He is also asked about Mothers' Day this Sunday, and says everyone should think carefully about the risk of transmission of the virus, where anyone has is elderly or in a vulnerable health group.

Asked if he would see his own mother, he said he would be working very hard on Sunday.

We now move to questions. The first question is about how the closure of pubs, clubs and theatres will be enforced.

Prime Minister Johnson says there are "licensing arrangements that will make it simple".

However he suggests it won't need to be enforced adding that "in reality everybody can see the imperative of what is necessary".

The chancellor also said self-assessment income payments would be deferred and business interruption loans would be interest fee for 12 months, rather than the six months previously announced.

"In the face of a generation-defining moment, we want to remember that we stood together," the chancellor said.

Asked what has changed for the government to decide to bring these measures in, Mr Johnson says people had made a huge effort in the past four or five days. There has already been a huge reduction in the number of people going to pubs.

But he said unnecessary social gatherings have to decrease by 75% in order to "drive down the curve" of coronavirus cases.

Licensing arrangements will make it easy to enforce this, if it is indeed necessary to enforce, he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

More on the latest figures from Italy, which is already the country with the most recorded deaths from the outbreak.

On Friday, the number of deaths climbed by 627 to 4,032 which is the largest daily rise since the outbreak began.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 47,021 from 41,035.

The hardest hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation and has seen the majority of recorded deaths.

Nationwide, 5,129 people have now recovered from the virus. But 2,655 are in intensive care.

On Thursday, Italy's death toll overtook China's, where the virus originated.

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted that the measures to shut pubs and other public spaces were "absolutely essential to do this given the excruciating pressure hospitals, especially in London, are under".

Mr Johnson said in his statement that the measures had been agreed by all devolved governments of the UK.

A bit more on those grants. The government will pay 80% of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month, the chancellor says.

Mr Sunak said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June.

It represents in a £30bn injection into the economy.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says the economic intervention he is announcing is unprecedented but necessary to save lives.

He says he knows people are worried and says it will require a collective effort.

The government is setting up a job retention scheme and employers can get a grant to cover most wages, he says.

The death toll from the virus in Italy has risen by 627 to 4,032, officials say.

It is the largest daily rise in the country since the beginning of the outbreak.

Boris Johnson added that takeaways would be excluded from the new measures coming in from tonight.

The measures on closures will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

The measures will be considered as time goes on, Boris Johnson says. But he stresses people should not go out tonight to such venues.

"We want you to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives," he adds.

Me Johnson said it seemed to go against the freedom-loving instincts of British people but "we will get through this - we will get through it together and beat this virus".

Mr Johnson says the government is strengething the measures announced earlier this week.

"We are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not reopen tomorrow."

Places like nightclubs, cinemas and gyms will also follow suit.

Actions like washing hands help take the strain off the NHS, says Boris Johnson.

"We will be able to save literally thousands of lives," he says, if we take actions together and "make sacrifices".

He tells businesses: "We will stand by you" and that everything is being done in the government's power.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has started today's briefing, saying "we are going to defeat" coronavirus with a huge effort to prevent the spread.