Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a package of new coronavirus-related restrictions Tuesday as the United Kingdom faces a fresh surge in infections. "We have reached a perilous turning point," Johnson told Parliament, saying the measures were aimed at easing pressure on the National Health Service and limiting economic damage from the pandemic. Pubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues across England will have to close at 10 p.m. local time from Thursday, while people across several regions will be banned from socializing with people outside of their households. People will have to wear face masks in taxis and public transit, and a plan to bring spectators back to sports stadiums in October has also been shelved. "This is the moment when we must act," Johnson said, warning the restrictions could remain in place for six months. Johnson also said Tuesday that rules on where masks must be worn would be tightened to include staff in indoor hospitality and passengers in taxis. Britain was much slower than many other countries to encourage the wearing of face masks, with the government only urging people to do so in shops in July. Johnson said the government would provide police and local authorities in England with extra funding to enforce the regulations and the option to draw on military support. He said the new rules were "carefully judged" to achieve the maximum reduction in the R number — which measures how quickly the virus is spreading — while causing "the minimum damage to lives and livelihoods". The prime minister said this was "by no means a return to the full lockdown of March", with no general instructions to stay at home. Businesses, schools, colleges and universities will remain open. — Agencies
