The UK is now in the 'delay' phase of coronavirus action plan - here's what that means

The UK has moved onto the next stage of its response to the coronavirus outbreak as experts and politicians accepted it could no longer be contained.

The shift, which could see restrictions imposed in an effort to delay the spread of the disease, was confirmed by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon following a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee chaired by Boris Johnson.

The move comes a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the novel strain of coronavirus was a global pandemic.

What did Nicola Sturgeon say?

Ms Sturgeon said: "The decision has been taken that we have now moved from a contain phase into the delay phase where the objective is to seek to slow down the spread of the virus, to reduce the numbers who will be infected at the peak, the number infected at any one time."

From Friday, anyone with symptoms indicative of coronavirus should self-isolate for seven days, she said.

From Monday, mass gatherings in Scotland are set to be restricted as Ms Sturgeon said it is "inappropriate that we continue as normal".

She acknowledged the move, which will apply to some events involving crowds of 500 or more, will "not have a significant impact on the spread of the virus" but it will ease pressure on frontline emergency services.

What would moving to delay mean?

Once the new phase of delay is triggered, officials are likely to offer new advice for elderly and vulnerable people to start “social distancing”. There may also be a recommendation for more people to work at home.

Measures such as school closures and banning public gatherings, two major steps of the delay phase set out in the Government’s coronavirus action plan last week, may not yet be given the go ahead, but will come under consideration.

By delaying the spread of the disease until the warmer months it is hoped that the government can reduce the risk of overlapping with seasonal flu.