The UK government is preparing to introduce the toughest restrictive measures in London amid rising incidence of COVID-19, reports The Guardian citing the mayor of Sadiq Khan.
The decision to impose the highest third level of restrictions shortly before Catholic Christmas could be made as early as Monday, December 14, due to a sharp jump in the number of cases of coronavirus infection in the British capital. The mayor of London also called on the government to close schools and extend their Christmas holidays.
New restrictions include a ban on gatherings in indoor and private gardens and the closure of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants with the exception of delivery and pickup. In addition, spectators will no longer be allowed to attend sporting events. At the same time, gyms and hairdressing salons will continue to work, and people will be left the opportunity to meet in groups of no more than six people in parks, on beaches and in nature.
Currently, London has introduced a second level of readiness, in which bars and restaurants are open, but visitors can only stay in them while eating – after eating, they must immediately leave the institution. As of December 14, the number of COVID-19 cases in the UK exceeds 1.85 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.