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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said “we must act” to avoid another lockdown as virus cases rise in England.
It established a new “rule of six” that restricts meetings to a maximum of six people, which is enforced with fines or arrests.
Johnson also outlined a “moonshot” plan to control the virus with massive testing.
It comes as the UK reported another 2,659 coronavirus cases, the fourth consecutive day of more than 2,000 reported cases.
“I want to be absolutely clear, these measures are not another national blockade. The objective of them is to avoid a second national blockade,” Johnson said.
He added that “it breaks my heart to have to insist on these restrictions.”
The prime minister said the government was “working hard” to increase testing capacity to 500,000 tests per day by the end of October.
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But he said they also want to use new types of tests “in the near future” to identify people who do not have coronavirus and are not infectious so that they can live life “in a more normal way.”
He said these swab or saliva tests could be changed in 90 or even 20 minutes, with millions processed each day, a “full moon” effort to restore a more normal life even if a vaccine or treatment is not available.
“We are hopeful that this approach will go mainstream by spring and if it all comes together it may be possible, even for some of the toughest sectors, such as theaters, to have a life much closer to normal before Christmas.” .
Describing the new restrictions that limit all meetings to six people, Johnson said the government was “simplifying and strengthening the rules” after comments from police and the public.
He said the restrictions will only be in effect “as long as necessary.”
“I’m sorry. I wish we didn’t have to take this step, but as your prime minister I must do whatever it takes to stop the spread of the virus and save lives,” he said.
The new “rule of six” means:
- Social gatherings of more than six people in England it will not be allowed in law from Monday, September 14
- The new rule applies to people in private homes, indoor and outdoorand places like pubs, restaurants, cafes, and public outdoor spaces
- That applies to all ages
- Rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, or organized weddings, funerals and team sports
- A complete list of exemptions will be published before the law changes
- Persons who ignore the police could be fined £ 100, doubling with each offense up to a maximum of £ 3,200
Currently, the guide says that two households of any size can meet indoors or outdoors, or up to six people from different households outdoors. Until now, the police have not had powers to stop the meetings unless they are over 30.
The number of people who are allowed to meet inside or outside varies across the four nations of the UK. If meeting indoors: Up to eight people from three different households can meet in Scotland; up to six people from two households in North Ireland; up to four households can form an “extended household” in Welsh.
