Boris Johnson is writing to every household in the UK to urge the public to obey the lockdown and stay home during the coronavirus 'national emergency'.

The Prime Minister, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, will warn 'things will get worse before they get better' as he stresses the need to stay indoors to support the NHS by slowing the spread.

At an anticipated cost of £5.8 million, the letters will land on 30 million doorsteps along with a leaflet spelling out the Government's advice following much public confusion.

It comes as Britain's coronavirus death toll rocketed by 260 to 1,019 today as the UK suffered its worst day yet and saw a huge spike in victims.