Coronavirus – Europeans use fines, jail and drones to stop people gathering and enforce distancing as Brits still mingle

EUROPE has imposed draconian restrictions on its citizens in a desperate bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

While a ban on restaurants, pubs and other places where people gather was announced by Boris Johnson, the weekend saw Brits freely mingling.

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UK

Cinemas, theatres and galleries will also close and the measures will remain in place for at least a month to strengthen social distancing.

The Prime Minister has warned that tougher measures maybe needed in order to force people to stop public gatherings.

But other countries hit by the coronavirus have already imposed tough restrictions on citizens' everyday lives.

FRANCE

France has imposed some of the tightest controls in Europe on people’s movements for the past six days.

Some exceptions to the public gathering rule will be allowed, including for families living under the same roof and going out together for fresh air.

On top of the ban on gatherings, businesses like massage studios and hairdressers where people come into close contact will be shut.

And restaurants will be closed across Germany except for takeaway food.

Merkel appealed to citizens' "reason and empathy" in implementing the contact restrictions, saying she had been "very moved" by how closely people had stuck to less stringent measures implemented in recent days.

SPAIN

All non-essential venues have been shut down and people told only to leave home if absolutely necessary for food or medication.

The government shuttered schools on March 11 and announced an official state of emergency on Friday.

All bars and restaurants have closed and there are fines of up to €600,000 for disobeying the lockdown ban.

Spaniards can also be jailed for up to a year.