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Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to introduce tighter restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Cases are continuing to rise in the UK, and a number of regions and cities have seen local lockdowns imposed. Confirmed covid cases have risen by more than 4,000 a day compared to last month, and are the highest they have been since the height of lockdown in May.
What time will Boris Johnson give a covid update?
Boris Johnson’s covid update comes as Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty issued a stark warning about increasing cases.
Mr Whitty said there could be as many as 50,000 daily cases by mid-October, with 200 deaths, if the country doesn’t act quickly in the coming days and weeks.
The Prime Minister is expected to address the nation regarding the situation on Tuesday, September 22.
While it has not yet been confirmed exactly when the Prime Minister will be talking, he will be making a statement to the House of Commons around 12.30pm.
If the Prime Minister does go ahead with his national address, you will be able to watch the speech on BBC News and Sky News.
You will also be able to catch the speech on demand via BBC iPlayer and Sky Go.
In his speech, Mr Johnson is likely to address the rising coronavirus cases and potential new measures to stop it from getting out of control.
A number of short term, but strict, measures have been proposed which would put the country in a state akin to the national lockdown.
Some experts have suggested a two-week shutdown in October to help stop the virus spreading even further than it has.
Schools and offices would remain open but pubs, restaurants, and other entertainment venues like cinemas would need to close again.
Mr Johnson has previously made his stance known in regards to another national lockdown, saying it’s the “last thing anybody wants”.
The Prime Minister also stressed it would have “disastrous” implications on the UK’s economy.
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However, last week Mr Johnson admitted the UK is now seeing “a second wave” of coronavirus, prompting the Government to introduce the ‘rule of six’.
The new rule means nobody can socialise in groups of more than six people, indoors or outdoors, at any time.
But it is looking increasingly as though the rule of six could be upgraded to stricter measures.
In addition, mayor of London Sadiq Khan is expected to push for localised restrictions in the capital this week.
Mr Khan said it is “increasingly likely” restrictions will be imposed, and is expected to have met with council leaders today before making recommendations to ministers.
Mr Khan said in a statement: “The Prime Minister has said that we are now seeing the start of a second wave of COVID-19 across the UK.
“Londoners should also know that I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence I’ve seen today from public health experts about the accelerating speed at which COVID-19 is now spreading here in London.
“It is increasingly likely that, in London, additional measures will soon be required to slow the spread of the virus.
“We will be considering some of the measures which have already been imposed in other parts of the UK.”
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