Boris Johnson warned new coronavirus restrictions do not go far enough

Boris Johnson’s latest measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 do not go far enough to slow the rapid resurgence of the virus, experts have warned.

Closing pubs and restaurants at 10pm and reducing the size of wedding parties would not be sufficient, scientists said following the Prime Minister's announcement of new rules on Tuesday.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said it was "doubtful" that the measures would be effective enough to reduce the R rate of infection "much before this side of Christmas".

Under the new rules, businesses will face £10,000 fines or closure for failing to comply with coronavirus rules, and people risk £200 penalties for failing to wear masks or breaching the “rule of six”.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said it was "encouraging" that the Government is facing up to the accelerating transmission rate, but urged that more needed to be done to stop it.

BMA Chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "The BMA has consistently argued that it was illogical for staff not to be required to wear facemasks in shops, pubs and restaurants as customers are, so we're pleased to see this belatedly coming into force.

"However, given that the infection is equally like to spread in all indoor settings, these rules should also apply to offices and other workplaces.”

The military could also be used to free up police officers to tackle coronavirus rule-breakers.

Mr Johnson told the country in his address that if people do not stick to the rules then the Government must reserve the right to impose even stricter measures.

He said he was “deeply, spiritually reluctant” to infringe on people’s freedoms, but unless action was taken now there would be a need for harsher measures later “when the deaths have already mounted”. If people do not follow the new rules, “we must reserve the right to go further," Mr Johnson added.

Other measures being introduced in England over the coming days include:

- From Thursday, pubs, bars and restaurants will be table-service only and hospitality, leisure and entertainment venues will be subject to a 10pm closing time. Takeaways will also close from 10pm to 5am, although they will be allowed to deliver.

- Face coverings will be required for taxi passengers from Wednesday and for retail staff and hospitality customers, except when sitting down eating or drinking, from Thursday.

- Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations for retail, leisure and tourism firms, with businesses facing the risk of fines or closure for failing to comply.

- From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be allowed to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.

- From Thursday, the rule of six will be extended to cover indoor team sports, such as five-a-side football games.

- Plans to allow business conferences and crowds at sporting events from October 1 have been shelved.

The new rules - and similar or tougher controls elsewhere in the UK - followed scientists' warnings that the number of cases was doubling every seven days.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK passed 400,000, with a further 4,926 lab-confirmed cases as of 9am on Tuesday.

The Government said a further 37 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday.

The Government faced renewed calls to do more to support businesses, with the hospitality industry warning that the new restrictions would be a "crushing blow".

Dr Nagpaul called on the Government to do more to help employers make workplaces Covid-secure when home working is not possible, and to cut the number of people permitted to meet indoors.

"The Prime Minister missed an opportunity today to revise the 'rule of six' which, as currently interpreted, allows members of six different household to meet indoors whereas previously members of only two households could do so," he said.

"Data suggests that transmission between households is by far the biggest driver of infection and this should therefore be rectified at the earliest possible opportunity."

The BMA also wants to see the public given more information about infection rates in their areas, making it as easy to look up as the weather or pollen count.

"Members of the public want to do their bit to keep infection rates down - ministers must empower them with the information they need to take proactive action," Dr Nagpaul said.

"Not only would these additional measures pose no risk to the economy in the immediate term, they could be key to preventing further lockdowns and significant disruption to business and economic activity."

He added: "Indeed, putting the right safeguards in place to minimise the risk of infection is crucial to providing people with the confidence they need to go out safely and boost the economy."

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