Photographer: Holly Adams / Bloomberg
Photographer: Holly Adams / Bloomberg
Under plans drawn up by the UK government, ministers are preparing to impose stricter corona virus controls in London from Wednesday, out of control of infections.
According to those familiar with the matter, the British capital Tier 3 has the highest level of restrictions, after the rising rates of infections and hospital admissions.
Health officials briefed lawmakers about the plans as city mayor Sadiq Khan called for the closure of schools and the imposition of masks on shopping streets to prevent an increase in cases.
One MP – Rupa Hook – said parts of some parts of and around London would be placed in Tier 3 from Wednesday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs about the move in a call Monday. People who are well aware of the government’s thinking expect the city to move to Tier 3 from Wednesday or Thursday.
Switching to Tier 3 will force London’s hotels, bars, restaurants and indoor entertainment venues to be a huge blow to businesses – just days before the UK is due to offer five-day terms for the Christmas festivities. Between December 23 and 27, people are free to reunite with the other two households inside the home, which doctors have warned will increase rates of infections and hospital admissions in January and February.
‘Terrible blow’
Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of London First, an industry group for capital businesses, called the move “a terrible blow to the hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors of capital” and called on the government to support businesses that are forced to close. “Survive the New Year.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokeswoman Jamie Davis told reporters on Monday that although the government has no plans to review the Christmas rules, “the public must remain vigilant.”
The latest data show that the rate of infection has increased in all 32 London districts in the first week of December 8, with only 5 rates above the UK average.
In a call with Watley, along with two senior public health officials, some MPs expressed outrage at the government’s handling of the corona virus outbreak in London. Labor’s Neil Goyal later said on Twitter that children and businesses were “very badly abandoned”.
(The environment adds to the reaction of London businesses)