UK imposes new coronavirus restrictions for England

LONDON (AP) — The British government backed a series of measures Wednesday it hopes will stem a worrying increase in new coronavirus cases, particularly among young adults, including a legally enforced ban on any social gatherings of more than six people in England.

In the biggest reversal of the months-long easing of the lockdown, it said social gatherings in England will be limited to a maximum of six people, either inside or outside of the home. The new limit will be in place from Monday and police will be able to fine, and even arrest, anyone breaching the rules.

Among other measures, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “COVID-secure marshals” will be introduced to help ensure social distancing in city centers.

Acknowledging that the myriad of rules on gatherings have become “complicated and confusing,” Johnson said more clarity was required in light of the recent sharp spike in cases in a country that has seen Europe's deadliest coronavirus outbreak.

“Now you only need to remember the ‘rule of six,’" he said at a media briefing behind a podium bearing the government's new slogan “Hands Face Space.”

The new limits on gatherings are set to be in place for months, a timescale that potentially dashes any hopes of large family gatherings during Christmas.

Johnson said he was “still hopeful” that the “moonshot” of mass testing in the community — accompanied by results within minutes — could bring many aspects of life back to some sort of normality, even of ending the need for social distancing among those who test negative. He reiterated that the government was aiming for 500,000 daily tests by the end of October, more than double the current amount.

The new limit on gatherings follows a near doubling in new confirmed virus infections...