Iran Press/ Europe: A citing UK government source said: "We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organizations," as Reuters reported.
The source said: "Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public events, including mass gatherings, beginning next week."
"We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home."
So far, ministers have resisted such a move even though some major sporting events including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches have already been postponed.
And Ireland is to close all schools and childcare facilities and other public spaces like museums, while Scotland has banned gatherings of more than 500 people.
Eleven people have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, and the number of confirmed infections has reached 798 - an increase of 208 over the last 24 hours.
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