POLICE will be able to call on the army if they need support to enforce strict new coronavirus rules, Boris Johnson has announced.
The Prime Minister made the surprise announcement in the Commons on Tuesday as he unveiled a raft of new restrictions in a bid to tackle rising positive covid cases.
He told MPs: "We will provide the police and local authorities with the extra funding they need – a greater police presence on our streets and the option to draw military support where required to free up the police."
Thousands of troops were mobilised at the start of the pandemic, and were responsible for running mobile testing units in Scotland until the end of the August.
They also worked to convert Glasgow's SEC Centre into NHS Louisa Jordan hospital.
The prime minister has announced the new restrictions could remain in place for “perhaps six months”.
In his statement, the Prime Minister warned that the UK had reached a “perilous turning point” in its fight against covid, and warned that daily deaths would increase unless action was taken.
He said: “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.”
A number of new restrictions have been introduced in England to help fight the transmission of the virus.
They include a new curfew for pubs and restaurants and people who can work from being urged to do so.
He said: “First, we are once again asking office workers who can work from home to do so. In key public services and in all professions where home working is not possible, such as construction or retail, people should continue to attend their workplaces.”
Pubs, bars and restaurant must operate table-service only as of Thursday- except for takeaways.
He added: “Together with all hospitality venues, they must close at 10pm.
“And to help the police enforce this rule that means, alas, closing not just calling for last orders, because simplicity is paramount.”
The “rule of six” will extend to all adult indoor team sports.
Johnson added: “Finally we have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from October 1 and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs which are the life and soul of our communities.”
Nicola Sturgeon is set to unveil similar restrictions in Scotland on Tuesday afternoon.
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