THE Prime Minister has this afternoon announced drastic action in a bid to tackle coronavirus as he says people should now "avoid all social contact."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the comments as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UK rose to 1,543 on Monday (March 16.)

In a statement, Mr Johnson said members of the public should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues in order to kerb the spread of the virus.

He also said that by the weekend, groups particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 will be asked to stay at home for up to three months.

This afternoon setting out the need for "drastic action" to tackle what he described was the "fast growth" of virus, Mr Johnson said: "It looks as though we are now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve" in the number of cases.

"Without drastic action cases could double every five or six days.

The Prime Minister said if people showed symptoms including a high temperature or continuous cough, they should stay at home for at least two weeks.

He said: "That means that if possible you should not go out, even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise and in that case at a safe distance from others.

In a dramatic escalation of the Government's response, he urged that even those without symptoms needed to take extra action.

"Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel."

He said people should now begin to work from home "where they possibly can and added: "You should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues."

He added: "In a few days time, by this coming weekend it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12-weeks.

"Again, the reason for doing this in the next few days rather than earlier or later is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions."