A major 'UK-wide action plan' to tackle coronavirus has been agreed following a COBRA meeting chaired by Boris Johnson .
Ministers from every government department met in the cabinet office this morning to agree the plan as the number of UK cases hit 40.
It's understood the action plan will include primary legislation, which will have to be passed by MPs and peers in an act of Parliament.
The first elements are expected to appear next week, but it could take until the end of March to be fully in place. A government source said: "You are talking about months rather than weeks before we reach the peak of this."
The emergency legislation is understood to cover “all eventualities” - including both the delay and mitigation phases of the virus.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “The UK wide action plan in response to Coronavirus was agreed and that will be published tomorrow.”
It was “agreed by all four parts of the UK" - including Nicola Sturgeon and Wales' Mark Drakeford - and they "will be working closely together on ensuring we have the best possible response for dealing with the outbreak."
He added: "There will be further and extensive public information campaigns in the coming days and weeks”.
The PM's spokesman indicated the option of sealing off cities entirely was still on the table.
He said: “We will be guided by the evidence and the latest advice from medical experts.
“As the Health Secretary said yesterday the top priority is to keep the public safe while mitigating the economic and social consequences. We will take all reasonable steps, driven by the science.”
No10 did not rule out a role for the military, saying the government will take “whatever responsible steps are required that will be helpful.”
Asked if members of the public should wear face masks Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “The advice is very firmly focused on the importance of washing hands regularly.”
The EU’s EWRS warning system - which Britain opted out of when we left the EU, despite the Department of Health reportedly calling for it to stay on the table - was not discussed at COBRA.
The PM’s spokesman insisted the UK would continue to work closely and share data with the EU but said: “We will have left the EU.”
He said “further action” will be taken “if needed” to protect low wage or zero hour workers - but did not confirm whether this will involve widening Statutory Sick Pay.
Number 10 signalled the Budget - which will go ahead next Wednesday - may include emergency Coronavirus funds.
The PM’s spokesman said: “The government stands ready to use all the levers at its disposal to ensure we are as prepared as we can be.”
Number 10 said Mr Johnson is personally washing his hands regularly with hot, soapy water for 20 seconds.
But they gave no indication the PM has stopped shaking hands with people.
The government has also been "urgently seeking updates" on the condition of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British mum imprisoned in Iran.
It's feared she may have contracted Covid-19 after catching a cold in Tehran's Evin prison.
There have been reports of an outbreak of the virus in the prison.
A string of Tory government ministers and the Chief Medical Officer were at this morning's meeting.
But despite reports 15,000 Londoners travelled back from Italy in the last fortnight, the Mirror understands London Mayor Sadiq Khan was told he couldn't attend.
Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg arrived for the Cobra meeting and advised people to "wash their hands".
Speaking outside the Cabinet Office he said: "Coughs and sneezes catch diseases, put it in your handkerchief.
"Wash your hands is the national anthem."
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said the Government "absolutely" had a grip on the coronavirus outbreak.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty did not answer any questions as he entered the building at 70 Whitehall on Monday morning.
The action plan is expected to include measures like those raised by Matt Hancock on Sunday - including closing some schools and cancelling sports matches.
If the actions are taken they are expected to impact on people's everyday way of life.
Jeremy Corbyn is expected to be briefed on the plan with a statement in the Commons by Matt Hancock.
It comes after a senior Public Health England (PHE) official said the UK looks set for more widespread infection of coronavirus - as more cases occur among people with no links to overseas outbreaks.
Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of PHE, said more cases could be challenging for the UK and it was important to reduce the spread of infection.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Prof Cosford said: "The extent of infection we are seeing in other countries suggests it is likely that we will see more widespread infection in the UK and that is what we have to be prepared for.
"We should expect at times that might be quite challenging for us, it is therefore very important that we do everything we can to reduce the spread of infection.
"At the moment, the vast majority of cases we see in the UK are still linked to countries where there is more widespread infection, either in Italy or South East Asia.
"It is true to say there is a small number now where it is much more difficult to find that link, and that is leading us to think we may well see more widespread infection in the UK fairly soon.
"It could happen in the next few days or it could take a little longer."
Meanwhile health experts have sent a warning shot to Boris Johnson over claims he will pull Britain out of the EU's pandemic warning system.
Downing Street has reportedly rejected pleas to keep the EU's Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) after Brexit - despite the Coronavirus outbreak.
The online platform has existed for 22 years to let health chiefs exchange rapid information about "serious cross-border threats to health".
But according to the Daily Telegraph, No10 has rejected pleas to keep it as part of a trade deal - despite even a Department of Health official lobbying for access.
Public Health England's emeritus medical director, Paul Cosford, today sent a diplomatically-worded warning shot to the government - by saying the EWRS was "useful" and "important".
The NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals and NHS bodies, warned a month ago that quitting the EWRS could heighten the risk from a pandemic.