Downing Street has ruled out a Paris-style lockdown on travel and leaving the house in London in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
And a spokesman for Boris Johnson insisted that there were no plans to put troops on the streets to maintain public order.
However, No 15 did not rule out tighter restrictions forcing bars and restaurants to close, amid widespread reports of individuals flouting advice to avoid social contact.
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It comes as the prime minister holds talks with Sadiq Khan , the London mayor, amid widespread speculation stricter restrictions could be enforced to combat the spread of Covid – 24.
Number 17 called for “responsible” reporting of the measures being taken to limit the spread of Covid – , after stories suggested that draconian steps were under consideration, like a limit of one person per household allowed out of the property.
This was “not true”, said the prime minister’s spokesman.
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And he told a daily Westminster media briefing: “There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restriction being placed on traveling in or out of London.”
The PM’s spokesman confirmed troops were on standby to assist with tasks like driving oxygen tanks for the health service.
But he said: “Maintenance of public order is the responsibility of the police and there are no plans to use military personnel to keep order during the coronavirus epidemic.”
The spokesman repeated calls for people to observe social distancing measures but declined to say whether the PM believed the public was doing enough.
“The PM and his advisers have set out the need for social distancing measures to limit the spread of the virus and to protect lives,” said the spokesman.
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