Live: PM Boris Johnson addresses the nation on fresh COVID-19 restrictions

All eyes are on PM Boris Johnson as pressure builds over a second national coronavirus lockdown in efforts to contain the surging infection rates. The PM addresses the nation at 8pm tonight on fresh COVID-19 restrictions, expect questions about why this is the right level of action to take, why he isn’t going further if he will have to introduce harsher measures in the coming weeks. Journalists will likely ask whether other regions of the UK will take a more stringent approach than Westminster and if his government was right to tell people to go back to the office as recently as just a few weeks ago. Boris Johnson has been urged to use this week’s address to the nation to clearly spell out how the Government is ready to contain the surging infection rates. The PM is expected to announce at 10pm curfew on pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England. The restrictions are set to come into force on Thursday and are designed to slow the spread of coronavirus and mean that hospitality venues will have to offer table service. As part of a new package of measures, Mr Johnson is also expected to announce an increase of enforcement measures to ensure people are obeying ’the rule of six’. Along with this, he is also set to announce a return to working from home as he looks to avoid the need for a second full lockdown. Chief medic Chris Witty and chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance warned on September 21 that the UK could see 50,000 coronavirus cases a day in just three weeks and deaths could soar by thousands if the bug continues to spread at its current rate. An official estimate also shows that new infections and hospital admissions are doubling every seven to eight days in the UK. There are fears the UK risks following the Covid-19 trajectory in other countries in Europe such as France where infections tipped the scales again on Saturday, September 19, with nearly 13,500 new infections in 24 hours. Read more Boris Johnson speech: What time is the PM’s announcement today, September 22? Boris Johnson speech: PM warns Britain facing six MONTHS of stricter lockdown ruining Christmas for millions of families Read more Boris Johnson bans gatherings of more than 6 in fresh coronavirus crackdown… but for how long? From Brexit breaking news to HD movie trailers, The Sun newspaper brings you the latest news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world. Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: