The Government has asked everyone in the UK to work from home if possible and to stop all non-essential social contact and travel.
Prime minister Boris Johnson delivered the news in a live address as part of now daily press briefings on the coronavirus pandemic.
The advice is particularly important for those over 70, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions, including heart conditions, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Londoners were also asked to take special notice as the disease is further advanced in the capital's population, which is said to be a 'few weeks ahead'.
By this coming weekend, those with the most serious medical conditions should be 'largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks', the PM added.
Following the stages of government advice, as it ramped up social action against the spread of the virus, Mr Johnson said: 'Last week, we asked everyone to stay at home if you had one of two key symptoms - a high temperature or a new and continuous cough. Today we need to go further because according to SAGE, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, it looks as though we are now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve and without drastic action, cases could double every five or six days.
'So first, we need to ask you if you or if anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms [a fever or a new and continuous cough] then you should stay at home for 14 days. That means that if possible, you should not go out even to buy food or essentials other than for exercise and in that case, at a safe distance from others.
'Even if you don't have symptoms and if no one in your house has symptoms, there is more we need you to do now. Second, now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel. We need people to start working from home where they possibly can, and you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.
'Third, by this coming weekend, it will be necessary to go further and to ensure those with the most serious medical conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks.'
The Government has also withdrawn support for any mass gatherings.
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