The UK government is preparing to impose the toughest restrictive measures in London amid rising incidence of COVID-19. This was reported by The Guardian with reference to the mayor of the city of Sadiq Khan.
The decision to introduce 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 spaces and private gardens and the closure of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants, with the exception of pick-up and delivery. 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 with 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 they eat – after eating, they must immediately leave the institution. As of December 14, the number of cases of COVID-19 in the UK exceeds 1.85 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.
