And the PM gave warnings that “significantly greater restrictions” could be slapped on the country “if all our actions fail to bring the R below 1” in the coming weeks.
He stopped short of announcing a two-week circuit break of shutdowns to put a brake on the spread –Â but said the army could be brought in to help police.
The Prime Minister said: “We should assume that the restrictions I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months.
“For the time being, this virus is a fact of our lives and I must tell the House and the country that our fight against it will continue.”
If the rules are in place for another six months, they would effectively cancel the nation’s Christmas celebrations.
It came just hours before Scots leader Nicola Sturgeon announced a complete ban on household mixing north of the border –Â saying Boris’ rules didn’t go far enough.
The First Minister said this afternoon the new restrictions on indoor gatherings comes alongside 10pm curfews for pubs – but people can continue to meet each other in outdoor settings.
