Aerials of London as PM announces tough new restrictions

The bright lights of London dimmed on Monday night as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the public to "stay home" amid the ongoing battle against the coronavirus. Streets and road were almost empty and office buildings usually lit up by late-night workers were much duller with many people now working from home.

In an address to the nation from 10 Downing Street on Monday, Johnson announced ramped up restrictions on people to prevent the virus from spreading between households. Under the measures people will only be allowed to leave home for a few “very limited purposes” to relieve the pressure on the National Health Service, Johnson said.

The U.K. had the 10th-highest number of virus cases in the world, 5,903, and the sixth-highest number of virus-related deaths as of Monday, according to tallies from Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. But for some older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.More than 100,000 people have recovered, mostly in China.