DOZENS of shops across Southampton city centre have closed today following guidance from the prime minster.

Last night, Boris Johnson advised that all bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, gyms and theatres should close amid the coronavirus outbreak.

In Southampton, huge names have closed their doors to the public to help tackle social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Although the highstreet was busy with visitors enjoying the sunshine, many shops, cafes, restuarants and bars had their shutters down and doors locked.

Stores such as TKMaxx, River Island, Victoria's Secret, Foot Locker and Urban Outfitters were closed with signs in the window explaining that they shall remain shut until further notice.

Cafes such as Pret A Manger and Starbucks were also closed as well as bars and pubs such as Yates, Scholar's Arms, and Grumpy Monkey.

It comes after Boris Johnson told bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, gyms and theatres to close "as soon as they reasonably can".

Mr Johnson said that the situation will be reviewed each month and the government also announced that it would pay 80 per cent of wages of those who are unable to work, up to those earning £2,500 a month.

Despite the closures, there were still crowds of people in the city centre, many who were searching for Mother's Day gifts.

One shopper on the highsteet today, a supermarket assistant from Bursledon, said: "I'm out today to pick up some little bits for my mum for Mother's Day.

"I work at Tesco and being a big store that loads of people go to for all their essentials is a risky place to be, however I do still need to pay for my insurance and other things so I can't afford to be off."

Another town-goer, a 20-year-old valeter from Eastleigh, added: "The weathers amazing today and as it's been so miserable I can’t miss out on a good day just to the virus.

"But I'm making sure to avoid others and keep up with this social distancing to prevent any spreading.

"It's important to wash your hands after being out anyway, but I think for many people, the virus has really brought that home."

So far, there are 107 recorded cases of the virus in Hampshire, which is the second highest number of cases across the UK by authority.