British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday will tell people to work from home where possible and will impose new curbs on bars and restaurants to tackle a swiftly accelerating second coronavirus wave.
According to his office and ministers, with millions across the UK already under some form of COVID-19 restriction, Mr Johnson will tighten measures in England while stopping short of another full lockdown like he imposed in March.
Mr Johnson would hold emergency meetings with ministers, address parliament at 1130 GMT and then speak to the nation at 1900 GMT after government scientists warned that the death rate would soar without urgent action.
According to his office and ministers, just weeks after urging people to start returning to workplaces, Mr Johnson will now advise them to stay at home if they can.
He would also order all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality sites across England to start closing at 10 p.m. from Thursday.
“There is going to be a shift in emphasis. If it is possible for people to work from home, we are going to encourage them to do so,” Michael Gove, the minister for the cabinet office, told Sky News.
The new curbs will restrict the hospitality sector to table service only, though Mr Gove said he wanted those who could not work from home, for example in manufacturing, construction and retail, to continue to work from COVID-secure workplaces.
“Schools will also stay open,’’ he said.
It was unclear if the measures would be enough to tackle Britain’s second wave, which government scientists warn could reach 50,000 new cases per day by mid-October.
NAN
