THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a raft of new Covid-19 measures to MPs this afternoon - just hours before he is set to address the nation.

The PM revealed major changes to the rule of six, penalties for non wearing of face coverings and working from home guidance during his appearance in the Commons.

He is set to make an announcement to the nation at 8pm today detailing the new Covid-19 measures that are set to see pubs, restaurants and bars shut at 10pm.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson set to tell pubs, restaurants and bars they must CLOSE early

The measures will also see the guidance for those to return to the office completely reversed and see people told to work from but only where it will not hurt businesses.

Addressing MPs this afternoon, the PM said: "In the last fortnight daily hospital admissions in England have more than doubled.

“Tens of thousands of daily infections in October would, as night follows day, lead to hundreds of daily deaths in November and those numbers would continue to grow unless we act.”

Changes to working in the office advice

Boris Johnson said people who can work from home should do so.

He told MPs: “First, we are once again asking office workers who can work from home to do so. In key public services and in all professions where home working is not possible, such as construction or retail, people should continue to attend their workplaces.”

He added: “Second, from Thursday, all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate a table service only, except for takeaways. Together with all hospitality venues, they must close at 10pm.

“And to help the police enforce this rule that means, alas, closing not just calling for last orders, because simplicity is paramount.”

Rule of six to be extended to some sports

Mr Johnson said: “We will also have to extend the rule of six to all adult indoor team sports.

"Finally we have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from 1st October and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs which are the life and soul of our communities.”

Staff working in retail to wear face coverings

The PM went on to say that people working in retail, those travelling in taxis, and staff and customers in indoor hospitality except while seated at a table to eat or drink would have to wear face coverings.

Advice given to those who were shielding

To those shielding, the PM added: “Following advice from our senior clinicians, our guidance continues to be that you do not need to shield, except in local lockdown areas, and we will keep this under constant review.”

Restrictions could remain in place for six months

Boris Johnson said that the restrictions announced could remain in place for “perhaps six months”.

He told the Commons: “I fervently want to avoid taking this step, as do the devolved administrations but we will only be able to avoid it if our new measures work and our behaviour changes.

“We will spare no effort in developing vaccines, treatments, new forms of mass-testing but unless we palpably make progress we should assume that the restrictions that I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months.

“For the time being, this virus is a fact of our lives and I must tell the House and the country that our fight against it will continue.”

Bigger fines for those flouting new rules 

He added: “These rules will be enforced by tighter penalties… the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will now double to £200 for a first offence.”

Reaction from North-East MP Simon Clarke