Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves after a cabinet meeting, in London, Britain, September 22, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell people on Tuesday to work from home where possible and will impose new curbs on restaurants to tackle a swiftly accelerating second coronavirus wave.
With millions across the United Kingdom already under some form of COVID-19 restriction, Johnson will tighten measures in England while stopping short of another full lockdown like he imposed in March, according to his office and ministers.
Johnson will 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.
Just weeks after urging people to start returning to workplaces, Johnson will now advise them to stay at home if they can, according to his office and ministers. He will also order all 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 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.
