Lockdown easing is postponed by Prime Minister 'squeezing the brake' to limit virus spread

The Prime Minister warned that people ‘cannot be complacent’ about coronavirus as it rises in prevalence in the community, with spread between household cited as a major factor in recent outbreaks.

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Measures that were due to be lifted tomorrow, including allowing small wedding receptions and the reopening of casinos and bowling alleys have been postponed for ‘at least a fortnight’.

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And face coverings will be mandatory in more public places, including museums and places of worship, starting on August 8.

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The announcement comes after local lockdown measures were announced in parts of the north west of England and parts of West Yorkshire, banning people from different households meeting indoors or in gardens following a spike in virus cases.

According to the ONS, between July 20 and 26 there were around 0.78 new Covid-19 infections for every 10,000 people in the community population in England - equal to around 4,200 new cases per day.

This is up from an estimated 2,800 new cases a day in the previous week.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference today, Mr Johnson said: “We just can’t afford to ignore this evidence.

“We have to act rapidly if we want to protect those we love, and we know this sort of intervention works.”