PRIME Minister Boris Johnson is set to address the nation this evening on the stricter social distancing measures which will become law as of Thursday (Sep 24).

Pubs and restaurants will have to close at 10pm and will be table-service only - there’ll be no custom at the bar. Face coverings will have to be worn by staff in retail and hospitality venues and venues would be expected to enforce the rule of six, with higher fines for those not adhering to the new laws.

A maximum of 15 people will be allowed to attend weddings and receptions and the rule of ’no more than six’ will apply to adults playing sports indoors.

The Prime Minister spoke of the need to act now as the rate of coronavirus infections has quadrupled in the past month, saying that the balance had to be found between saving lives and protecting jobs.

With schools and businesses to remain open, Cornwall Council’s leader Julian German has slated the failures of the Covid testing system in the county, saying it “just doesn’t work”.

The changes for pubs and restaurants have been criticised by Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin and St Austell Brewery’s chief executive Kevin Georgel, who said it would cost jobs.

The chair of the South East Cornwall Tourism Association (SECTA) Sue Jewell says that takings already dipped sharply after the rule of six was introduced and that accomodation providers were uncertain about how much they could police the social distancing rule, adding it was “madness” when people could still get on a plane and go on holiday.

Calls for further, flexible packages of support for the hospitality and tourism sector have come from the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and other industry representatives.