Coronavirus sees Mother’s Day cancelled with Brits told to avoid visits to friends and family

MOTHER'S Day plans may have to be scrapped amid concern that family gatherings could spread infection of the coronavirus.

Yesterday the Government released new guidelines on "social distancing" to protect older people and vulnerable adults from the killer virus.

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The British public is being advised against "unnecessary travel", which is likely to impact travelling home to see family members, as well as attending mass gatherings.

And last night the Government's advice specifically mentioned not "having friends and family to the house" - effectively ruling out seeing mums for Sunday's big day.

The advice says: "Avoid gatherings with friends and family.

"Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media."

Those with underlying health conditions and older people are much more likely to be killed by deadly bug Covid-19, experts have warned.

Boris Johnson yesterday announced that those with health issues, pregnant women and the over-70s — around 20 million Brits — should avoid leaving the house where possible.

The PM added that by the weekend, which coincides with Mother’s Day, up to 1.5 million people with the “most serious health conditions” must avoid almost all social contact for 12 weeks.

And for those that do fall into that category, it is advised that only essential care of food and washing should be allowed in.

He also explained that those at greater risk should work from home and should stop “non-essential contact with others”.

This is especially the case for those based in London, where the epidemic is thought to be a couple of weeks ahead in terms of spread.