Londoners are facing the possibility of entering Tier 3 lockdown restrictions.
Officials have started to voice their concern with the latest data showing infection rates are up in two thirds of the capitals boroughs. The government officials are planning to meet on December 16th to review the current data, which show 20 boroughs in London are harbouring infection rates at a higher level than the nations average.
In light of this, Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that putting London into a Tier 3 lockdown would be “catastrophic”.
Data has shown Bromley’s infection rate rise by 40% within the same week, Haringey up by 47% and spikes of up to 25% in Bexley, Hackney, Harrow, Kingston and Merton.
Sitting down with Sky news today Mayor Sadiq Khan went on to say, “If London were to go into Tier 3 it would be catastrophic to those industries already really crippling under the Covid pandemic.
“That could mean many shops going bust, many bars, pubs and restaurants going bust.
“We’re keen to make sure we stay in Tier 2. Tier 2, as well, has got many challenges for us but it’s really important that London has continued to make the huge sacrifices they’ve done.
“Nobody wants London to go into Tier 3 or even the country to go into a further, third, national lockdown.”
The director of public health for England Professor Kevin Fenton continue to advise the pubic to maintain social distancing and self-isolation rules. He told The Evening Standard, “The promising reductions we had begun to see with the recent national restrictions across the capital have shown signs of slowing in recent days – a stark reminder of just how delicate our situation is.
“If we want to avoid being placed into Tier 3, it is vital we keep transmission down.”
Stay tuned to GRM Daily for more information.