Coronavirus: Number of wedding attendees to be reduced from 30 to 15 in England

PM says country faces ‘perilous turning point’ with the number of Covid-19 cases surging across the UK

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.

Mr Johnson said the country had reached a “perilous turning point” with the number of Covid-19 cases surging across the UK – echoing warnings from the chief medical and scientific officers.

He said there was evidence of the virus spreading to vulnerable age groups, adding that estimates suggest just eight per cent of the population have coronavirus antibodies.

Addressing MPs, he said: "In the last fortnight daily hospital admissions in England have more than doubled.

"Tens of thousands of daily infections in October would, as night follows day, lead to hundreds of daily deaths in November and those numbers would continue to grow unless we act."

The prime minister also announced further restrictions in the Commons, including urging those who can work from home to do so – reversing government efforts to encourage office workers to return to city centres.

“We are once again asking office workers who can work from home to do so,” he said. “In key public services and in all professions where home working is not possible, such as construction or retail, people should continue to attend their workplaces."

"Second, 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.

"And to help the police enforce this rule that means, alas, closing not just calling for last orders, because simplicity is paramount."