The limits are set to stay in place for the “foreseeable future,” potentially until or even through Christmas, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday.
The new restriction bans large groups from meeting socially indoors and outdoors. It will not apply to schools, workplaces or weddings, funerals, and sports events that are deemed COVID-secure, the BBC reported.
Hancock also said pubs and restaurants will be legally required to take the contact details of every customer for purposes of the government's test and trace program.
The British government said tighter restrictions were needed after the number of daily laboratory-confirmed positive cases hit nearly 3,000 on Sunday. The figure dipped Tuesday to 2,460.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to announce more details later Wednesday.
BORIS JOHNSON ASSURES GOVERNMENT CAN HANDLE MORE 'WRETCHED COVID' AS UK WORKFORCE IS GETTING BACK ON ITS FEET
The other nations of the U.K. — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — have not followed suit though they also have their own different limitations on gatherings.
The U.K. has Europe’s worst death toll from the virus, with nearly 41,600 deaths within 28 days of testing positive. The actual toll is believed to be far higher as the government tally does not include those who died without having been tested.