Coronavirus: UK poised to go into 'social distancing' phase as Covid-19 spreads
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The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra meeting at lunchtime on Thursday where ministers are expected to agree to move into the "delay" stage of the process.
Moving to delay would mean social distancing measures could be brought in, such as restricting public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home.
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Hide AdThe expected shift in UK policy came as Donald Trump dramatically escalated the US response to the coronavirus pandemic, slapping a travel ban on continental Europe.
The suspension of travel between the United States and Europe - excluding the UK and Ireland - will last for 30 days starting on Friday.
Mr Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the outbreak of the virus and saying US clusters were "seeded" by European travellers.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak played down the prospect of the UK imposing similar travel restrictions, saying "the evidence here doesn't support that".
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Hide AdThursday's Cobra meeting comes after eight people with Covid-19 were confirmed to have died in the UK, while the total number of positive cases rose to 460.
A Cabinet minister, who has not been named, was self-isolating while awaiting a test result after coming into contact with health minister