Boris Johnson has announced further restrictions in an attempt to curb the growing spread of COVID-19 across the UK amid warnings cases and deaths could increase rapidly.
The Prime Minister said unless there is evidence of progress, the measures may be in place in England for six months.
From today, these new restrictions will apply:
- 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants from Thursday 24 September
- Table service only in hospitality venues
- Work from home if you can
- Customers must wear face coverings in taxis, as well as staff in retail
- Staff and customers in indoor hospitality must now wear face coverings
- From Monday 28 September, only 15 people can attend a wedding service and reception - 30 people can still attend a funeral
- A maximum of six people can take part in indoor team sports
- Large sports events and conferences will not take place from 1 October, as previously planned
- Businesses will be fined £10,000 and could be closed if they breach regulations
- The fine for people not wearing face coverings in shops, supermarkets, public transport, taxis and in indoor hospitality will double to £200 for a first time offence, from £100
- This fine will be the same for those who break the "rule of six"
- Those who have been shielding do not need to do so except in local lockdown areas.
What was already restricted?
- Social gatherings of more than six people indoors and outdoors are banned in England
- In Scotland, only two households are allowed to be part of a group of six outdoors
- In Northern Ireland, no households are allowed to mix indoors and no more than six people from two households can meet outdoors
- In Wales, six people are allowed indoors and 30 people outdoors
- Also in Wales, hospitality businesses must offer table service only and close at 10pm, while off-licences and supermarkets must stop selling alcohol at 10pm
- Venues, including pubs and restaurants, are legally required to request customers' details for test and trace and keep them for 21 days
- Face coverings must be worn in shops, supermarkets and on public transport unless they are exempt for medical reasons
What happens if you break the rules?
- For people who do not wear face coverings, and who are not exempt, in places legally stated there are fines of £200 in England, or £60 in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- People with coronavirus symptoms who do not self-isolate will face fines of £1,000, rising to £10,000 for repeat offences from 28 September
- If people prevent others from self-isolating - such as bosses threatening redundancy - they can also be fined
- Businesses who break the mask regulations and "rule of six" in England will be fined £10,000 or closed down - Scotland is considering the same
- Anyone who breaks the rules on social gatherings in England will be fined £200 with the penalty doubling on each further repeat offence up to £3,200
- "COVID-secure marshals" will enforce social distancing rules in town and city centres, the prime minister has said
- Border Force is also stepping up the enforcement of quarantine rules for travellers into the country
- There will be more police on the streets to ensure rules are adhered to
- The armed forces could be called in to help police if needed
Additional content by Sky News
