LONDON • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told people to work from home where possible and ordered bars and restaurants to close early to tackle a fast-spreading second wave of Covid-19, with curbs lasting probably six months.

After government scientists cautioned that deaths may soar without urgent action, Mr Johnson stopped short of another full lockdown as he did in March, but said further action could be taken if the disease was not suppressed.

"We reserve the right to deploy greater firepower, with significantly greater restrictions," he told Parliament yesterday following emergency meetings with ministers and leaders of the United Kingdom's devolved governments.

Just weeks after urging people to start returning to their workplaces, Mr Johnson advised office workers to stay at home if they could.

He ordered all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality sites to close at 10pm from tomorrow, with only table service allowed.

"I am sorry this will hurt many businesses just getting back on their feet," he said.

It was unclear if the measures would be enough to tackle Britain's second wave, which government scientists warned could reach 50,000 new cases a day by the middle of next month, but they meant more pain for the world's fifth-largest economy.

Masks will be required in more settings, there will be tougher enforcement of rules and the military could be brought in to help free up the police, Mr Johnson said.

Schools and universities are to stay open, but a plan to reopen large sporting events and business conferences from Oct 1 will no longer take effect.

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Businesses breaking Covid-19 laws face penalties of up to £10,000 (S$17,400) or even closure, while individuals may be fined £200 for not wearing a mask in the right place.

Mr Johnson said it was frustrating for the law-abiding majority to see a few "brazenly defying the rules".

Asked in Parliament why Britain's figures were worse than Germany's and Italy's, Mr Johnson said: "There is an important difference between our country and many other countries around the world and that is our country is a freedom-loving country...

"It is very difficult to ask the British population uniformly to obey guidelines in the way that is necessary."

Britain already has the biggest official Covid-19 death toll in Europe - 41,788 - while it is borrowing record amounts to pump emergency money through the damaged economy.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned that the "very unfortunate" escalation of Covid-19 cases threatened the economic outlook and said the central bank was looking hard at how it could support the economy further.

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon said it could cut 400 to 450 jobs at six airports, including London's Heathrow and Gatwick, because of the large drop in passengers.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer urged the government not to end a furlough scheme at the end of next month, accusing it of losing control of the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Johnson said: "We will not listen to those who say 'let the virus rip', nor to those who urge a permanent lockdown.

"We are taking decisive and appropriate steps to balance saving lives and protecting jobs and livelihoods."

Meanwhile, Scotland has said it will introduce additional curbs on household gatherings that go further than Mr Johnson's new rules.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday: "We intend, as Northern Ireland did yesterday, to also introduce nationwide additional restrictions on household gatherings, similar to those already in place in the west of Scotland."

REUTERS