Ministers could bring forward a decision to plunge millions of Londoners into Tier 3 to today as coronavirus cases in the capital soar ‘off the chart’.
In a move that could devastate businesses just days before Christmas, the city could see its hospitality and culture sectors closed down, with shoppers from Tier 2 zones outside the limits barred from shopping in its major retail hubs like Oxford Street.
West End theatres are also readying themselves to close after tomorrow night’s performances.
MPs were warned this morning that there was ‘exponential growth’ in cases in London’s boroughs and some of the major commuter areas like Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Meanwhile Kent, already in Tier 3, could face a further tightening of restrictions with a surge in cases that has yet to fall.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will update MPs on the latest developments in the fight against Covid-19 at 3.30pm today. His statement is understood to focus on further measures for London to tackle the spread of coronavirus. He will then lead a Government press conference this evening.
The Government agreed to review the tier levels every two weeks at the latest after they were introduced on December 2, in order to pass the legislation needed in the face of a backbench rebellion.
But London mayor Sadiq Khan said it was ‘possible’ a decision could be brought forward to today because of the spike in numbers, with a key cabinet committee meeting taking place this morning.
Introducing the restrictions sooner would give them more time to take effect before the nationwide loosening of restrictions takes place from December 23 – 27, with up to three families allowed to meet without social distancing.
Mr Khan warned Tier 3 would be ‘catastrophic’ without extra help for the city’s businesses, coming in what should be a ‘golden quarter’ of the year before Christmas.
He told Sky News is was ‘possible’ a decision on a tier change could be made today, adding: ‘If the government decides to do that they must provide additional support over and above what has been offered to make sure these businesses go bust,’ he told Sky News.
‘If they go bust not only will it lead to hundreds of thousands of Londoners being made unemployed, but our ability to recover from this pandemic will be made much harder. It is in nobody’s interest for these businesses to go bust, December is a crucial month for many of these business.’
It comes as:
