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In today’s coronavirus press conference Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that obeying social distancing rules is “mission critical to protect the NHS and slow the spread”, and warned that “further steps” could be taken to limit people’s movement if people continue to fail to self isolate.

However, the health secretary said that stricter limitations on going outside are ‘not imminent’ despite some people ignoring the guidelines.

"The more people follow the rules, the faster we will all be through it," he stressed. "What we are doing is being absolutely clear that the current rules must be followed."

And he said to those who have been ignoring social distancing rules in the sunshine this weekend: “You are risking your own life and the lives of others, and you are making it hard for us all.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock answering questions from the media via a video link during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (COVID-19). Pippa Fowles/Crown Copyright/10 Downing Street/PA Wire | PA (Press Association)

The health secretary’s appeal for people to comply with the rules came with the announcement from the deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries that the UK is experiencing a “surge” in the virus in the past 24 hours.

However she explained that the rise in the number of people testing positive comes hand in hand with the rise in the number of people being tested.

As of today’s conference (April 5), 195,524 people have been tested in the UK, with 47,806 people testing positive.

The NHS now has more than 9,000 ventilators, it was also announced, with Mr Hancock saying the government hoped to “ramp up” this number.

He said he expects there to be many more over the next week, up to the target of 18,000 ventilators.

Coronavirus: stricter social distancing rules 'are not imminent' despite 'surge' in cases