Britain has asked manufacturers, including Ford, Honda and Rolls-Royce, to help make health equipment, such as ventilators, to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will speak to manufacturers to seek support for the production of “essential medical equipment” for the National Health Service, a spokesperson for his Downing Street office said.

“He will stress the vital role of Britain’s manufacturers in preparing the country for a significant spread of coronavirus and call on them to step up and support the nationwide effort to fight the virus,” the spokesperson said.

Britain, which has reported 35 coronavirus deaths and 1372 cases, has taken a different approach to other countries that have imposed stringent lockdowns to try to slow the spread of the disease.