Only 15 people allowed at weddings and early closing for pubs - all the new restrictions announced by Boris
Everything you need to know about new measures put in place to prevent a second lockdown.
Last updated 22nd Sep 2020
Boris Johnson has announced a series of tough measures to restrict the spread of coronavirus and says they could be in place for six months.
The Prime Minister made an announcement in the House of Commons today (Tuesday) and set out some new rules, including the number of people you can have at weddings and working from home if you can.
Here's the full list of everything he announced, which will come into force next week:
Weddings and funerals
Wedding ceremonies and receptions will be capped at 15 people from Monday.
30 people will still be allowed to attend funerals.
Here's what Boris said:
“Now is the time to tighten up the rule of six. I’m afraid that from Monday a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, though up to 30 can still attend a funeral as now."
Watching and playing sport
The rule of six which was introduced last week will now apply to all indoor team sports.
Mr Johnson also said that re-introducing spectators at sporting events was not going to go ahead as planned:
“Finally we have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from 1st October.”
He added: “These rules will be enforced by tighter penalties… the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will now double to £200 for a first offence.”
Work from home if you can
Boris Johnson said people who can work from home should do so.
He told MPs: “First, we are once again asking office workers who can work from home to do so. 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.”
He added: “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.”
Going to the pub
Pubs, bars and restaurants in England will be ordered to close by 10pm each night from Thursday.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will also be restricted to table service only.
Customers in indoor hospitality will also have to wear face coverings – except while seated at a table to eat or drink.
Going to the shops and using taxis
Face coverings must be worn in taxis and private hire vehicles, and by retail staff while at work.
Restrictions could be in place for six months
Boris Johnson said that the restrictions announced could remain in place for “perhaps six months”.
He told the Commons: “I fervently want to avoid taking this step, as do the devolved administrations but we will only be able to avoid it if our new measures work and our behaviour changes.
“We will spare no effort in developing vaccines, treatments, new forms of mass-testing but unless we palpably make progress we should assume that the restrictions that I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months.
“For the time being, this virus is a fact of our lives and I must tell the House and the country that our fight against it will continue.”
Watch Boris Johnson's statement on curbing coronavirus:
Deaths will rise without action
Boris Johnson has warned daily deaths from Covid-19 will increase unless action is taken.
The Prime Minister told MPs: “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.”
Yesterday the chief medical and science advisers warned that cases of coronavirus are rising and that it could lead to 200 deaths a day if left unchallenged