Drastic measures which could come into force across nation

A SERIES of drastic measures which will have a profound impact on everyday life are expected to be brought in over the coming weeks.

New government plans could see schools and pubs close, the Army called in and all over-70s may have to self-isolate for four months.

Here is a plans: list of the

SELF ISOLATION FOR OVER-70S

Elderly people will be told to self-isolate for four months to combat the coronavirus outbreak, even if they are not ill.

The move could be enforced in the next 20 days and would form part of a series of measures unprecedented in peacetime Britain.

The Government is concerned that some older people could die at home from neglect after they are quarantined, so want to start the self-isolation as late as possible.

However, the Scottish Government said it was not planning on isolating the elderly but would instead be “asking them to reduce social contact”.

SOCIAL EVENTS

All pubs will close temporarily, according to the leaked UK Government plans.

Bars and restaurants also face shutting their doors some time after next weekend when the ban on mass public gatherings is enforced.

The idea of closing pubs is being supported by many who say it will encourage social distancing, which could aid the fight against the virus.

HOSPITALS

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, ordered the NHS to buy up thousands of private hospital beds as the coronavirus death toll doubled.

I t means 8,000 private hospital beds will be used to relieve pressure on the NHS in England.

The plan to pay the private sector £300 a day for a bed followed demands by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth and the GMB union.

Other measures being planned include hotels and other buildings being used as temporary hospitals, privately-run hospitals being converted into emergency medical care centres and commissioning several companies to make respirators that can keep acutely ill victims alive.

The PM has told health equipment firms to move heaven and earth to churn out as many life-saving ventilators as they can.

In Wales, non-urgent outpatient and surgical care has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Hotel chain Best Western Great Britain yesterday said it could turn its properties into temporary hospitals if the NHS needs additional bed space during the coronavirus outbreak.

SCHOOLS

Plans are being made if schools have to close for up to three months in Wales to stop coronavirus spreading so fast that the health service cannot cope.

Meetings were called at schools across Wales on Thursday afternoon, and it is understood teachers are being advised to start preparing online lessons for pupils who will have to stay at home.

It has been announced that schools will not be closed yet.

But teachers in most areas have been told to start planning for closures and some councils have asked headteachers to consider rearranging any events that would involve large gatherings of pupils, staff and guests.

Northern Ireland has now become the first part of the UK to announce its schools will shut, and others are expected to follow.

TRAVEL

As the US banned flights from the UK, planes en route to Spain had to turn around mid-air on Saturday.

The airline Jet2 has taken the decision to cancel all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect after the country entered lockdown.

TUI has also released a statement telling all customers that holidays booked to Spain between yesterday and today have been cancelled.

ARMED FORCES

British troops are on standby to help keep the UK functioning if coronavirus hits “peak virus” next month.

This could be enforced within 20 days to save lives and prevent the NHS “falling over”.

Under the codename Operation Rescript, Lieutenant-general Tyrone Urch has drawn up contingency plans to keep supermarkets shelves full and petrol stations topped up with fuel.

Army drivers could be brought in to keep the nation supplied with food and

fuel.