PEOPLE are again being asked to work from home while pubs, bars and restaurants have been ordered to close from 10pm from Thursday.

PM Boris Johnson has been addressing the House of Commons within the last few minutes. 

He said the new restictions, which also include a curb on the number of people who can attend weddings, could be in place for up to six months. 

In a U-turn from a campaign earlier this month, office workers are being told to work at home if they can.

Under the new rules, bars, pubs and restaurants will have to close at 10pm every night - that will mean closing at 10pm rather than calling last orders. 

And police will be given the powers to enforce the "simple" rule. 

The PM called the move "a stitch in time to save nine" in a bid to cut the current R number, which has risen above 1, meaning the virus is spreading at a high rate. 

Those who had been shielding earlier in the pandemic do NOT need to continue to shield. 

Mr Johnson emphasised: "This is not a return to full lockdown of March, it is not an instruction to stay at home."

During the briefing, the PM also warned daily deaths from Covid-19 will increase unless action is taken.

The Prime Minister told MPs: “In the last fortnight daily hospital admissions in England have more than doubled.

“Tens of thousands of daily infections in October would, as night follows day, lead to hundreds of daily deaths in November and those numbers would continue to grow unless we act.”

He also said people working in retail, those travelling in taxis, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality - except while seated at a table to eat or drink - would have to wear face coverings.

More to follow