Coronavirus news: Boris Johnson urges public to abide by new Covid rules through ‘unquestionably difficult’ winter

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Boris Johnson warns of more coronavirus restrictions if public don't follow new rules

In a televised address following the announcement of new rules including early pub curfews and stricter face mask requirements, Mr Johnson warned further restrictions would follow if the public flouted the rules and claimed the government would “use the army if necessary” to enforce the laws.

Read more:

The new rules for travelling abroad

Why is 10pm the magic time for a pub curfew?

What are the new places you need to wear a face mask in England?

Key Points

• PM refuses to apologise for ‘gross incompetence’ leading to restrictions
• New coronavirus restrictions ‘could last for six months’
• Indoor sport banned in England
• Number of wedding attendees in England to be cut from 30 to 15
• Retail workers and taxi passengers must wear face masks in England
• ‘Small increase’ in deaths with Covid-19 registered
• UK herd immunity ‘not having appreciable effect as yet’
• Plans to allow sports fans back to sports stadiums postponed
• Back to work message to be scrapped in latest U-turn
• Pubs, bars and restaurants to be forced to shut at 10pm

[22 September 2020 12:41 · Chiara Giordano]

Prime minister Boris Johnson has told MPs coronavirus cases have almost quadrupled to 3,929 quadrupled a day, while daily hospital admissions in England have doubled in the last fortnight.

[22 September 2020 12:48 · Chiara Giordano]

PM announces raft of new measures

Boris Johnson has announced a raft of new measures for England in the Commons.

He stressed the government is “not issuing a general instruction to stay home”.

The measures include:

- Office workers who can work from home are asked to do so. In key public services and all professions where home working is not possible people should continue to attend their work places.  

- From Thursday all pubs bars and restaurants must operate a table service only, except for takeaways.  Together with all hospitality venues they must close at 10pm. The same will apply to takeaways, though deliveries can continue.  

- Face masks must be worn by retail staff, taxi and private hire users, and staff and customers in hospitality venues except for when eating or drinking .

- Covid secure guidelines will become legal obligations – businesses will be fined if they break them.

- A maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions from Monday, but up to 30 can attend funerals.

- Fine for first time offence breaking face mask and rule of six will double to £200

[22 September 2020 12:49 · Chiara Giordano]

New face mask rules

Workers in retail and hospitality and passengers in taxis are to be required to wear face-coverings, prime minister Boris Johnson has told the House of Commons.

[22 September 2020 12:51 · Chiara Giordano]

Wedding guests to be cut from 30 to 15

Boris Johnson has announced a tightening of regulations for weddings, restricting the number of guests from 30 to just 15 people.

In a Commons statement, the prime minister unveiled the stricter rules for ceremonies in England, which are currently exempt from the “rule of six” law introduced a fortnight ago.

Funeral ceremonies, however, Mr Johnson added will still be permitted to allow 30 guests.

[22 September 2020 12:53 · Chiara Giordano]

Indoor sport banned in England

Indoor team sport is being banned in England again as coronavirus restrictions are tightened following the surge in infections.

Activities including five-a-side football will no longer be allowed from Thursday – as the exemption under the ‘rule of six’ law is removed, Boris Johnson announced.

[22 September 2020 12:55 · Chiara Giordano]

New restrictions could last for six months

New restrictions including a 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants could remain in place for six months as the UK battles coronavirus, prime minister Boris Johnson has said.

[22 September 2020 13:11 · Chiara Giordano]

My colleague Sabrina Barr has put together this guide explaining what the new 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants in England will look like:

[22 September 2020 13:21 · Chiara Giordano]

What are the new rules for wedding ceremonies and receptions in England?

[22 September 2020 13:26 · Chiara Giordano]

Where exactly should you be wearing a face mask?

New rules on face coverings have been announced, increasing the number of places in England where it is mandatory to wear a covering or face a penalty fine of £200 for a first-time offence.

So, where exactly should you be wearing a face mask? Here is everything you need to know:

[22 September 2020 13:29 · Chiara Giordano]

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has asked Boris Johnson to extend the furlough scheme to save jobs.