Mr Johnson also outlined a “lunar” plan to fight the virus with mass testing, possibly by next spring.
This is due to the fact that the UK has 2,659 more cases of coronavirus, which for the fourth day in a row exceeded 2,000 reported cases.
“I want to be absolutely clear that these measures are not just another national isolation. The whole point is to avoid a second national isolation, ”Johnson said at the first coronavirus briefing on Downing Street since July.
He added that “it hurts me to insist on these restrictions.”
Over the past week, the number of cases has increased from 12.5 per 100,000 to 19.7 per 100,000 in the UK.
The coronavirus was more common among young people, with 54 cases per 100,000 in the 19-21 age group.
Mr. Johnson also announced that:
Places such as pubs and restaurants will be required by law to request each visitor’s contact information, store it for 21 days and provide it to NHS Test and Trace. They face a £ 1,000 fine if they disobey
Opening hours may be limited in some locations, as happened in Bolton, where establishments are expected to close between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.
“Covid Defense Marshals” will be introduced to help ensure social distancing in cities and city centers.
Passenger search form to be completed by travelers arriving in the UK to comply with quarantine rules will be simplified and border control will strengthen controls
Mr. Johnson said the rules “became quite complex and confusing” and the government “simplified and strengthened” them following police and public feedback.
But Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the new assembly rules reflect that “poor communication was a big part of the problem” with the spread of the virus.
Sir Keir said the government also needed to improve testing, which was “ubiquitous,” following reports that some people could not sign up for tests.
The prime minister said the government was “working on” increasing the testing capacity of 500,000 tests a day at the end of October, but urged people to only order a test if they had coronavirus symptoms.
He said they also want to use new types of tests “in the near future” to identify people who do not have coronavirus and who are not contagious so that they can live “more normal lives.”
He said these swabs or saliva tests can be done in 90 or even 20 minutes, with millions being processed every day.
The prime minister referred to the Apollo space program, describing the “giant collaborative effort” of that test program as a “moon shot” that could restore a more normal lifestyle even if a vaccine or treatment is not available.
“Vulnerable in the spotlight behind the scenes”
Despite all the talk about vaccines and rapid testing, it was clear – of course, listening to the UK’s chief medical advisor, Professor Chris Whitty – that this winter was going to be tough.
Respiratory viruses are generally better tolerated in fall and winter due to colder weather and the fact that people socialize more indoors. This is why every winter we see cases of influenza and, unfortunately, deaths.
Many experts believe the same will happen in the coming months, despite recent measures.
This means that the government has to make very difficult decisions. It must balance the impact of further restrictions, which could cause other harm to health, as well as education and the economy, with the risk of the spread of the virus.
The audience plays a huge role. But that alone may not be enough.
Behind the scenes, there is a lot of focus on how to protect the vulnerable – this could mean closing nursing homes and re-asking people to protect them.
But the UK is in a stronger position than it was at the start of the pandemic. Isolation bought time.
Better treatments are available, and while many testing and tracking challenges remain, existing systems are a step up from where we were when the virus first hit the UK.
These new tests will be conducted with audiences attending indoor and outdoor areas in Salford starting next month.
But the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the technology needed to be “rigorously tested” and it would be “completely wrong to assume this is a successful dunk.”
Chief Physician Professor Chris Whitty acknowledged that the measures that needed to be taken against the coronavirus were “harming” socially, economically and people with other diseases.
“We have to do this because the alternative is worse,” he said.
He added that “the period from now until spring will be difficult,” and people should not view the restrictions “as a very short-term thing,” because they are unlikely to be lifted in just two or three weeks.
Mr. Johnson said it was “too early to talk” about the possibility of hosting big parties at Christmas, but added that he “still hopes” that some aspects of life can return to normal by the holiday season.
He said the restrictions would only apply “as long as necessary.”
“I’m sorry about that. I wish we didn’t take this step, but as your prime minister, I must do whatever is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and save lives, ”he said.
The new Rule of Six means:
Public gatherings more than six people in England will not be permitted by law Monday 14 September
New rule applies to people in private homes, indoors and outdoorsas well as in places such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and open public places.
it applies to all ages
The rule does not apply to schools and workplaces, weddings, funerals and team sports
Full list of exclusions must be published before the law changes
people who ignores the police can be fined £ 100 – doubling for each violation up to a maximum amount of £ 3200.
Metropolitan Police Federation Chairman Ken Marsh said the new rules were “very flimsy” and would be difficult to enforce.
Currently, the guidance says that two households of any size are allowed to meet indoors or outdoors, or up to six people from different households outdoors. Until now, the police did not have the authority to stop assemblies if they did not exceed 30.
The number of people allowed to meet inside or outside varies across four UK countries. If you are meeting indoors: up to eight people from three different families can meet in Scotland; up to six people from two households in Northern Ireland; up to four households can form an “extended family” in Wales…
A new public awareness campaign will be launched across the UK reminding people of the “basics” of washing hands, covering your face and giving others space.
Doncaster Racecourse was said by public health officials to end the presence of spectators at his rally from Thursday. More than 2,500 spectators are expected on Wednesday.
