The Prime Minister announced tighter restrictions on hospitality, masks, and office working today.
Stricter COVID restrictions have been implemented across England today, with Boris Johnson addressing the House of Commons with the new rules this lunchtime.
Confirming the new 10pm hospitality curfew, Johnson announced that all pubs, bars, and restaurants would be required to close their doors at 10pm daily, and by law would be required to operate on table service only (except for takeaways). Patrons will also be required to wear face masks at all times, except for when seated at their table.
The Prime Minister also went on to announce that all workers who are able to work from home will now be required to, again, and that the new restrictions will be in place for the next six months.
Here’s the full list of new restrictions announced today:
- Office workers and those who are able to work from home should return to working from home
- Pubs, bars, and restaurants will be required to close at 10pm daily under a new curfew
- By law, pubs, bars, and restaurants will be required to operate on table service only, with the exception of takeaways
- Indoor sports are limited to six people only
- Weddings are now limited to just 15 people (however funerals remain at 30)
- Increased face mask rules: retail staff must now wear masks, and customers must wear them in taxis and in indoor hospitality settings (except when seated at your table)
Johnson said of the new restrictions: “These measures will only work if people comply and there is nothing more frustrating for the law-abiding majority than the sight of a few brazenly defying the rules, so these rules will be enforced by tighter penalties.” The Prime Minister also added that the government may also add “greater firepower, with significantly greater restrictions” if necessary, however, expressed his desire to avoid another lockdown similar to the one imposed back in March.
“We will only be able to avoid it if our new measures work, and our behaviour changes. We will spare no effort in developing vacines, treatments, new forms of mass testings. But unless we palpably make progress, we should assume that the restrictions I have announced will stay in place for six months.
“This virus is a fact of our lives and I must tell this House and the country that our fight against in will continue”.