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GOOD Morning Britain's resident doctor has called for tougher measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Dr Hilary Jones said the government had made a "glaring error" when it comes to restrictions imposed to stop the spread.
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Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on this morning's show, Dr Hilary explained how the rule of six could affect the spread of the virus.
His comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that pubs and restaurants would be placed under curfew.
By law, these establishments will now have to close at 10pm and offer table service only.
This is in addition to the rule of six which states that six people, from six different households, are able to meet up in or outdoors to socialise.
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Piers highlighted that in Scotland, you can't meet people from other households and added that the policy in England "doesn't make any sense".
Dr Hilary responded and said: "This is the one glaring area in which most medical experts agree.
"When you have six people meeting up from potentially six different households, the potential for transmission is very significant.
"If it's two households, it's much much less and of course if you can't visit anybody else indoors at another household as they are doing in Scotland then you are going to get the R rate down".
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Data from the government last week revealed that the R rate in the UK is currently at around 1.4 across the country.
Government scientists said they are confident the number is now above the crucial value of 1 which means the epidemic is growing again.
They estimated the figure to be between a range of 1.1 and 1.4 for the whole of the UK, which has risen from between 1 and 1.2 last week.
It means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 11 and 14 other people.
R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.
When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially.
Dr Hilary added that the new restrictions imposed yesterday by the government "don't seem to go quite far enough".
"They haven't changed much at all.
"This rule of six is an odd one If six people meet up, five people can go and meet five more people an hour later."
Dr Hilary's comments on the new rules come after Mr Johnson last night addressed the nation.
He said "if we follow these simple rules together, we will get through this winter together".
He announced the new rules for England - but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will take similar steps, with Scotland being stricter on household gatherings.
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Under the new rules businesses will have a legal requirement to enforce the rule of six.
Facemasks will be made compulsory for staff in hospitality and close contact places - and taxis too.
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Mr Johnson also announced that the fine for not wearing a mask would be increased from £100 to £200.
He stopped short of announcing a two-week circuit break of shutdowns to put a brake on the spread - but said the army could be brought in to help police.
Boris Johnson announces tightening of restrictions on face masks
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