Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
15 Dec 2020
London will return to a strict lockdown this week, after coronavirus cases soared in the British capital, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Monday.
Hancock said London will be moved from England's Tier 2 "high alert" local restrictions to the "very high" Tier 3 on Wednesday morning at 12:00 a.m., along with nearby areas in south and west Essex, and south Hertfordshire.
Under the highest restriction level, all hospitality venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants will close except for takeout and delivery.
People should avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number of journeys they make wherever possible.
"Over the last three weeks we've seen very sharp exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," said the health secretary.
In response to surging cases in London, the UK government is taking drastic action to contain the spread of the virus.
Residents in London are already unable to meet people from other households indoors, and will now not be able to meet in private gardens or at most outdoor venues. They may meet up to six people outside at parks, public gardens or sports facilities. Retailers will be able to stay open.
"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action, which unfortunately, is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccines roll out," Hancock said Monday.
He said that in some areas, the doubling time for cases is now around every seven days, and that rates were rising not just among schoolchildren, "but in all age groups including the over 60s."
Hospitals in London, Essex and Kent are already under pressure and could quickly be "overwhelmed" without action, he added.
READ MORE
London will return to a strict lockdown this week, after coronavirus cases soared in the British capital, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Monday.
Hancock said London will be moved from England's Tier 2 "high alert" local restrictions to the "very high" Tier 3 on Wednesday morning at 12:00 a.m., along with nearby areas in south and west Essex, and south Hertfordshire.
Under the highest restriction level, all hospitality venues including pubs, cafes and restaurants will close except for takeout and delivery.
People should avoid travelling outside their area and reduce the number of journeys they make wherever possible.
"Over the last three weeks we've seen very sharp exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," said the health secretary.
In response to surging cases in London, the UK government is taking drastic action to contain the spread of the virus.
Residents in London are already unable to meet people from other households indoors, and will now not be able to meet in private gardens or at most outdoor venues. They may meet up to six people outside at parks, public gardens or sports facilities. Retailers will be able to stay open.
"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action, which unfortunately, is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccines roll out," Hancock said Monday.
He said that in some areas, the doubling time for cases is now around every seven days, and that rates were rising not just among schoolchildren, "but in all age groups including the over 60s."
Hospitals in London, Essex and Kent are already under pressure and could quickly be "overwhelmed" without action, he added.
READ MORE