EMERGENCY legislation which ministers say will help tackle the coronavirus outbreak is to be published in Parliament by the UK Government.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will table the Emergency Coronavirus Bill setting out measures aimed at slowing the spread and supporting the NHS and workers in the Commons today.

The legislation, which gives the Government additional powers over the NHS, education, crime, immigration and the economy, would be in place for two years if passed – but minister insist they would only “switch on” if absolutely necessary.

Downing Street says the laws would be removed once the outbreak has passed, on the advice of the chief medical officers of the four UK nations.

But some have raised concerns about the scope of the powers the Government is seeking to grant itself for two years.

Campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller tweeted: “Email your MP! They must read Coronavirus Bill extremely carefully. 

"Transfer vast powers for 2 yrs – very scary. Why not pass for 12 mths with review & extension clause for further 12 mths if necessary? Powers of arrest, detention, quarantine, burials!”

The legislation will be presented as the army prepares to help out in the crisis and Londoners faced the prospect of being put on lockdown.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson: Pandemic could have London on lockdown in days

So far, 104 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK and tens of thousands of people are thought to be infected.

Johnson said measures taken so far were helping to slow the spread of the disease, but he did not rule out tougher measures being enforced down the line.

The PM also did not rule out stricter controls being imposed on London ahead of the rest of the nation, with fears of a lockdown being imposed like in other nations.

Labour is not expected to force a vote on the legislation, allowing it to pass through Parliament swiftly with some MPs in self-isolation and concerns about others gathering in the House.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Coronavirus will see us living our lives differently

But leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote a list of conditions to the PM which he said would need to be considered to gain public support.

Corbyn said the legislation must be renewed by a fresh vote in Parliament every six months in order to prevent too much power being handed to the Government.

He also said rent suspension must be introduced, called for the ban on evictions to last six months and for jobs and incomes to receive greater protection.