The COVID Diaries – 171 22nd September
New measures announced in England today will probably stay in place for six months:
• Pubs, bars and restaurants to close at 22:00 BST
• They will also be restricted to table service only
• People should work from home wherever possible
• Face masks compulsory for bar staff and non-seated customers, shop workers and waiters
• Limit on guests at weddings reduced from 30 to 15
• Plans to allow fans to return to sporting events paused • “Rule of six” now applies to indoor team sports
• Fines for not wearing masks or following rules increased to £200 for first offence
There has also been a U-turn on advice from the government about working from home. In July, the prime minister said people should “start to go back to work now if you can” and last month a campaign was launched to encourage people back to the workplace. Today the advice is to work at home if your job doesn’t require you to be in the office.