Mass gatherings could be banned in UK amid the COVID-19 outbreak

Mass gatherings could be banned in the UK from as early as next weekend amid the outbreak of coronavirus.

A government source has told the BBC ministers are drawing up plans for the move - to ease pressure on emergency services.

View this post on Instagram

As coronavirus continues to spread around the world, face masks are in high demand as people look for ways to protect themselves. But do they really protect most people from contracting the virus? Dr Shunmay Yeung from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine explains. #Coronavirus #Covid19 #BBCNews

A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) on Mar 14, 2020 at 5:50am PDT

Scores of major sporting and cultural events have already been cancelled across the UK in response to the pandemic.

In total, 11 people have died with the virus in the UK, while the number of confirmed cases rose to 798 on Friday.

[Source:BBC]