London heads for lockdown: Here's what we know about how coronavirus could shut down the city

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• London could be heading for lockdown within days as UK government officials consider plans to tackle the rapid spread of coronavirus in the city.
• Reports suggest bars and restaurants could be closed and public events banned.
• Police could guard supermarkets.
• 40 London Underground Stations are being closed across the city.
• Downing Street deny any plans to prevent people from leaving or entering London.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Plans to place London into "lockdown" to prevent the rapid spread of the coronavirus could be announced as early as Friday as officials consider drastic plans to impose tough new measures for the UK capital

The Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Wednesday that the UK government are developing plans for "stringent measures" for the city, which would be announced imminently.

According to multiple reports, the measures under consideration included:

• The enforced closure of pubs, restaurants and other public spaces.
• Restrictions on movement, with only essential trips allowed.
• Limits on the number of people from each household allowed outside at any one time.
• The closure of all shops in the city aside from grocery stores and pharmacists.
• Police told to protect supermarkets.
• The army placed on standby to maintain order.

A Downing Street spokesperson on Thursday denied the government has any plans to restrict movement in and out of the city, or that limits would be placed on how many people could leave their homes.

However, they signalled that further restrictions on pubs and restaurants were being considered.

Keep on reading below for the latest information on potential plans to put London into lockdown.

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