BORIS Johnson has announced a raft of new coronavirus restrictions to be observed south of the Border which will remain in place for up to six months.

He also said the devolved nations will be announcing similar restrictions very soon.

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister said they were acting “on the principle that a stitch in time saves nine”.

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Johnson said there was no general instruction to stay home and stressed that this was not a full lockdown, as had happened in March.

Firstly, he said they were asking anyone who could work from home to do so. However, he added that anyone who could not work from home should still go to work.

Secondly, from Thursday all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate table service only, except for takeaways.

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Johnson said: "Together will all hospitality venues they must close at 10pm." He stressed that this meant closing at 10pm, and not last orders.

However, there will be exceptions for deliveries, which will be allowed later into the night.

Thirdly, mask-wearing will now be compulsory for retail staff, all indoor hospitality staff and customers when they are not seated, and all users of taxis and private-hire vehicles.

Fourth, these "Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations". Fines will be levied against businesses found not to be complying, and they may even be forced to close.

Fifth, the “rule of six” will be tightened up. In England from Monday, maximum of 15 people will be allowed to attend a wedding, though 30 people will be able to attend a funeral.

The rule will also be extended to cover all indoor adult team sports.

The plans to open large sporting events from October 1 will no longer be going ahead. 

Johnson stressed that the measures will only work if people comply, and so the rules will be enforced with tighter penalties.

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The fine of up to £10,000 for those failing to self-isolate will now also be applied to businesses found to be breaking the Covid guidelines.

People who fail to wear a mask or who break the rule of six will face fines of up to £200 for the first offence.

The Prime Minister said there will be a greater police presence and they will have the option to draw on military support in order to uphold these new regulations.

Johnson said that, while these rules only applied in England, the devolved nations would be taking similar steps.

The Prime Minister also said that vulnerable people do not need to shield unless they are in an area of local lockdown.

He added that the Government reserved the right to deploy "significantly greater restrictions" if the R number continued to climb, or failed to fall below 1.