Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed a raft of new measures aimed at tackling the rising number of coronavirus infections.

Here are the restrictions announced by the Prime Minister:

  • From Thursday pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality venues must close from 10pm
  • Table service is a requirement for these businesses, except for takeaways
  • Face coverings must be worn by all staff working in retail and those using taxis
  • From Monday the number of people allowed to attend weddings will be restricted to 15. Up to 30 are still permitted to attend funerals
  • The return of business conferences, live exhibitions and spectators to large sporting events from October 1 has been suspended
  • Rule of six extended to all adult indoor team sports
  • Fines for those not wearing face masks or breaking rule of six restrictions will be doubled to £200 for a first offence
  • Businesses not following the rules face closure by local authorities
  • The military will be drafted in to support police in enforcing the measures, if required
  • No changes to advice for those who were previously shielding, except if you live in a lockdown area
  • Restrictions announced expected to be in place for six months

"If all our actions fail to bring the R-rate down to below one, we reserve the right to deploy greater firepower with significantly greater restrictions," the Prime Minister told the House of Commons today (September 22).

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer supported the restrictions but questioned the idea that they were always going to be necessary.

"The picture presented yesterday by the Government's advisors was stark and cannot be ignored," Sir Keir told the Commons.

"Infections are rising, hospitalisations are rising, the trajectory is clear.

"We know from bitter experience what happens next. So it is right the Prime Minister is announcing further measures today and we support those measures, just as we supported lockdown in March and the more recent local lockdowns.

"Although with fierce criticism of the way the Government is handling this pandemic. When restrictions are needed the public interest lies in clear communications and cross-party support.

"We will, as we have done before, encourage people to follow the Government guidelines and obey the rule of law."