Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson have told pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants to close tonight to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

The Prime Minister made the announcement earlier during his daily press conference in London as he pledged once again to defeat Covid-19 within three months. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later joined forces with the PM by issuing the same demand during a televised address from Bute House, in Edinburgh. 

She said everyone must act now to slow the spread of the virus, adding that we must also reduce the number of people we meet and come into contact with.

It came as Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed the Government will step in and help pay people’s wages through a coronavirus job retention scheme.

Glasgow Times: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

“The speed of our eventual recovery depends entirely on our collective ability to get on top of the virus now and that means we have to take the next steps on scientific advice,” he told the daily Covid-19 press conference.

“And following our plan we are strengthening the measures announced on Monday.

“We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission between us.

“And so following agreement with all the … devolved administrations, we are collectively telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not to open tomorrow.

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“Though, to be clear, they can continue to provide take out services

“We’re also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the same timescale." 

Johnson said the Government would be continually assessing the situation around pubs and cafes and other requested closures “to see if we can relax any of these measures”.

He added: “You may be tempted to go out tonight and I say to you please don’t, you may think that you are invincible – but there is no guarantee that you will get it.

“But you can still be a carrier of the disease and pass it on.”

He added: “We want you as far as possible to stay at home.”

Meanwhile, Chancellor Sunak said Government grants would cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers of up to a total of £2,500. 

He said: “I have a responsibility to make sure that we protect, as far as possible, people’s jobs and incomes.

“Today I can announce that in the first time of our history, the Government is going to step in and help pay people’s wages.

Glasgow Times: Chancellor Rishi Sunak Chancellor Rishi Sunak

“We’re setting up a new coronavirus job retention scheme. Any employer in the country small or large, charitable or non-profit, will be eligible for the scheme.

“Employers will be able to contact HMRC for a grant to cover most of the wages of people who are not working but are furloughed and kept on payroll rather than being laid off.

“Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month – that’s just above the median income.”

More to follow...