Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the House of Commons today (Tuesday, September 22) following a meeting with the emergency committee COBRA and the Cabinet. In his address Mr Johnson announced a number of new lockdown measures will be put in place in England, to help control the rising number of coronavirus cases in the UK. The PM also issued a televised address to the nation at 8pm on Tuesday evening.
In his address on Tuesday evening, Mr Johnson outlined new rules for hospitality businesses, face coverings and working from home arrangements, as well as reiterating the strict penalties in place for people who flout the rules.
Mr Johnson said rules needed to be followed as there had been “too many” breaches of restrictions, and that more restrictions will be enforced if rules continue to be broken.
He said: “If we let this virus get out of control now, it would mean that our NHS had no space – once again – to deal with cancer patients and millions of other non-Covid medical needs.
“And if we were forced into a new national lockdown, that would threaten not just jobs and livelihoods but the loving human contact on which we all depend.
READ MORE: COVID strategy DOOMED? – just 5% of cases from pubs and restauraunts
“It would mean renewed loneliness and confinement for the elderly and vulnerable, and ultimately it would threaten once again the education of our children. We must do all we can to avoid going down that road again.
“But if people don’t follow the rules we have set out, then we must reserve the right to go further.
“We must take action now because a stitch in time saves nine; and this way we can keep people in work, we can keep our shops and our schools open, and we can keep our country moving forward while we work together to suppress the virus.
“That is our strategy, and if we can follow this package together, then I know we can succeed because in so many ways we are better prepared than before.”
He also said “if we follow these rules together, we will get through this winter together”, and “unquestionably” there will be difficult months to come.
However Mr Johnson noted that “no doubt there are great days ahead”, and he indicated experts believe spring could be a more positive period in the fight against COVID-19.
He added: “And though our doctors and our medical advisers are rightly worried about the data now, and the risks over winter, they are unanimous that things will be far better by the spring, when we have not only the hope of a vaccine, but one day soon – and I must stress that we are not there yet – of mass testing so efficient that people will be able to be tested in minutes so they can do more of the things they love.
“That’s the hope; that’s the dream. It’s hard, but it’s attainable, and we are working as hard as we can to get there.”
DON’T MISS:
Martin Lewis hits out at BBC over Boris Johnson coverage [INSIGHT]
Boris hits out at Britons breaching Covid-19 rules in rousing speech [VIDEO]
Rule of Six changes: What are the rules as Rule of Six tightened? [ANALYSIS]
The rules on face masks have also been extended, and people working in retail, travelling in taxis, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality – except while seated at a table to eat or drink – will have to wear face coverings.
The PM announced the number of guests at a wedding ceremony and reception will now be reduced to 15, while 30 guests will still be allowed at a funeral.
As was the case at the start of the UK lockdown in March, people are being advised to work from home again wherever possible.
The rule of six, which has made social gatherings of more than six people against the law, will now be extended to all adult indoor team sports.
Large sporting events, as well as business conferences and exhibitions, will not be permitted to reopen as had initially been planned from October 1.
