Councils in England have been given new powers to close shops, cancel events and shut outdoor public spaces to manage local outbreaks of coronavirus.
The PM said the move would enable councils to respond more quickly to outbreaks "where speed is paramount".
The Local Government Association said it hoped it would prevent the need for stricter local lockdown measures.
Meanwhile, a government scientific adviser has warned a return to pre-lockdown life remains "a long way off".
A further 40 coronavirus deaths have been announced, taking the total number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK to 45,273.
'Lightning lockdowns'
Announcing the new powers for councils, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Friday's Downing Street press briefing: "It has to be right that we take local action in response to local outbreaks - there is no point shutting down a city in one part of the country to contain an outbreak in another part of the country".
Mr Johnson also said ministers would receive clearer guidance on where they can intervene to "close whole sectors or types of premises in an area" and advise people in specific postcodes to stay at home.
- Plan for 'significant normality' by Christmas - PM
- What will close if there's a lockdown where I live?
- Lockdown approach 'less effective' for BAME groups
Government guidance says the move "significantly" increases councils' powers, and as such, should be used "with discretion".
Mr Johnson said the additional powers would allow local authorities "to act more quickly in response to outbreaks where speed is paramount", in what he called "lightning lockdowns".