Johnson says UK is at ‘perilous turning point’ in fight against virus
Boris Johnson last night warned the UK is at a“perilous turning point” as he announced a new series of coronavirus restrictions.
The Prime Minister yesterday admitted the harsh new measures could be in place in England for six months, with similar restrictions applied across the UK.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson confirmed pub and restaurant curfews for 10pm in England starting from tomorrow.
Hospitality premises will also only be able to offer table service, and people face fines of £200 if they do not wear a mask.
Mr Johnson said: “We always knew that while we might have driven the virus into retreat, the prospect of a second wave was real and I’m sorry to say that, as in Spain and France and many other countries, we’ve reached a perilous turning point.
“I want to stress that this is by no means a return to the full lockdown of March. We’re not issuing a general instruction to stay at home.
“We will ensure that schools, colleges, universities stay open because nothing is more important than the education, health and well-being of our young people.
“We will ensure businesses can stay open in a Covid-compliant way. However we must take action to suppress the disease.”
The Prime Minister also U-turned on his push to get workers back to the office, with anyone who can work from home in England required to do so. Those that do go in to work can only do so if their place of work is Covidsecure and they cannot perform their job at home.
Mr Johnson told MPS he had been forced into the restrictions, but insisted they were “necessary”.
He continued: “So it now falls to each of us and every one of us to remember the basics – wash our hands, cover our faces, observe social distancing and follow the rules.
“Then we can fight back against this virus, shelter our economy from even greater damage, protect the most vulnerable in care homes and hospitals, safeguard our NHS and save many more lives.”
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer promised his party would support the measures but accused the Government of lacking a “strategy”.
He said :“One day people were encouraged to work in the office, in fact more than encouraged they were openly challenged by the Prime Minister for not doing so, to day they’re told the opposite.
“This is a time of national crisis but we need clear leadership.”