South Hams residents are now facing unprecedented new measures announced this evening by prime minister Boris Johnson.

From tonight, people will only be allowed to leave their homes for:

Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible; one form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle, alone or with members of their household; any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; travelling to and from work, but only where it is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

The BBC reported Mr Johnson as saying the government will immediately close all shops selling non-essential goods,? including clothing and electronic stores – as well as other premises like libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.

All gatherings of more than two people in public are banned – excluding people you live with.

All social events?, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, are halted – but funerals will be allowed.

The police are being given powers to enforce the new restrictions, with Mr Johnson saying: "If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings."

He added: "I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.

"But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost."