Theatres in London’s West End and around the UK have shut after PM Boris Johnson advised people to avoid such venues as coronavirus spreads.
“You should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues,” he said.
However, he stopped short of forcing venues to close, leaving some in the affected industries in limbo.
The Society of London Theatre, which represents the West End, said theatres would close from Monday night until further notice.
Sister organisation UK Theatre said its 165 venues around the country would take the same step.
Speaking during his first daily news briefing on Monday, Mr Johnson said the government advice was that “public venues such as theatres should no longer be visited”.
He added: “The proprietors of those venues are taking the logical steps that you would imagine, you are seeing the change happen already.
“As for enforcement, we have the powers if necessary but I don’t believe it will be necessary to use those powers.”
Mr Johnson said that from Tuesday mass gatherings were something “we are now moving emphatically away from”.
He also said people should now avoid “non-essential” travel and contact with others.
