The new rules on curfews and mixing households across UK
Measures are being tightened in the face of rising coronavirus infections, with Boris Johnson warning the UK has reached a “perilous turning point” in its fight against the disease.
Household mixing indoors will no longer be allowed in Scotland, with exemptions for those living alone, couples not living together, childcare and tradespeople.
Regulations come into force on Friday, but people are being asked to comply from today.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said children under 12 will be exempt from the current limit of six people from two households when meeting outside, and those between 12 and 18 will be able to meet a limit of six others from six households outdoors.
From Friday, pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10 pm and further resources will be given to environmental health officials to step up enforcement and inspections, to check that social distancing and other hygiene guidance is being adhered to.
People in Scotland are also being advised against carsharing, with Ms Sturgeon saying that according to Test and Protect data there is a “significant risk of transmission” in such settings.
She asked people not to book any overseas travel for the halfterm break unless it was essential, and to use it as an opportunity to “further limit social interaction”.
Ms Sturgeon said people who were shielding earlier in the year were not at this stage being asked to do so again, but they should follow the steps outlined for the general population.
In a statement last night, Mr Johnson warned “your cough could be someone else’s death knell” as he threatened a full lockdown if the public do not follow the guidelines.
In England, working from home is once again being encouraged, with anyone who can being asked to do so.
People who cannot, such as those working in con st ruction or retail, are being advised they should continue to go to their workplaces.
From tomorrow pubs, bars and restaurants must offer table service only and hospitality, leisure, entertainment and tourism businesses will all have to close between 10pm and 5am.
People working in retail, travelling in taxis, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality, except while seated at a table to eat or drink, will have to wear face coverings.
From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be allowed to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, but the limit remains at 30 for funerals.
The rule of six, introduced last weekend, that any social gatherings of more than six people are against the law, is being extended to all adult indoor team sports.
Large sporting events, business conferences and exhibitions will not reopen as had been planned from 1 October.
The penalties for disobeying the rules will also be greater - failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will see fines doubling to £200 for a first offence.
Businesses which break the rules could be fined up to £10,000 and closed.
Fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate have already been announced.
Speaking from 10 Downing Street in just his third televised address during the pandemic, the Prime Minister insisted there were “great days ahead”, but only if people followed the rules.
Mr Johnson also raised the prospect of another full lockdown for the first time, warning of “many more deaths” if the new measures were not followed.
He said: “If we were forced into a new national lockdown, that would threaten not just jobs and livelihoods, but the loving human contact on which we all depend.
“We must do all we can to avoid going down that road again.
“But if people don’t follow the rules we have set out, then we must reserve the right togo further.”
The PM also warned of “difficult” winter months to come and claimed the future of Britain relied “completely on our individual behaviour”.
Downing Street said military support was an option to free up police so they could focus on enforcing the tougher rules.
For people in the shielding category, Mr Johnson said the guidance remained that shielding was not needed, unless they are in a local lockdown area.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drake ford indicated people could be asked to make essential journeys only.
He said “one of the central dilemmas” the country faced was the differing rates of Covid-19 in different areas, with rates of the virus still falling in ten local authority areas.
“I will want to say something later today about trying to encourage people in Wales only to make those journeys that are really necessary ,” he told the Senedd.
Mr Drakeford said many of the things being announced by Mr Johnson “we have already done in Wales”, such as the encouragement to work from home where possible.
The measures, which are already in force across Rhondda Cynon Ta fan dC a erphi llycountybo rough, will apply in Bridge nd, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Blaenau Gwent.