Boris the Sinister: New restrictions could last six months (and they will be added to in the extreme have no doubt) while police can call on the MILITARY for ‘support’ as I said was the plan from the start

The UK has reached “a perilous turning point”, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, as he set out a raft of new coronavirus restrictions for England which could last for up to six months.

Shop staff will have to wear face masks and weddings will be limited to a maximum of 15 people, under new rules.

Fines for breaking laws on gatherings and not wearing mask will increase to £200 for a first offence.

He also warned “significantly greater restrictions” could come if necessary.

Mr Johnson said “similar steps” would be taken across the UK after meeting with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning.

“We always knew that while we might have driven the virus into retreat, the prospect of a second wave was real. I’m sorry to say that, as in Spain and France and many other countries, we’ve reached a perilous turning point,” he said.

Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he would provide police and local authorities with extra funding to enforce the regulations and the option to draw on military support.

Read more: Boris the Sinister: New restrictions could last six months (and they will be added to in the extreme have no doubt) while police can call on the MILITARY for ‘support’ as I said was the plan from the start