Tier 3 Coronavirus Restrictions and London Restaurant Closures Now ‘Highly Likely’

Reports this morning suggest that London is “highly likely” to enter into tier three coronavirus restrictions — which means restaurant dining rooms must close — “after a sharp rise in coronavirus infection rates have left health officials “deeply concerned,” according to BBC News.

Towards the end of last week, restaurants were concerned that they would be forced to close again before Christmas after Mayor Sadiq Khan pressed Londoners to follow the rules in order to avoid such fate. Khan’s remarks came after case numbers were reported to have risen in over two thirds of London boroughs.

Tier three is lockdown in all but name for hospitality: restaurants and pubs must close, except for takeaway and delivery.

Although the formal review into the tier restrictions was not due until this Wednesday, 16 December, BBC News reports that London MPs have been briefed on the latest data, “with a move to tier three now believed to be highly likely as soon as today.” It adds that no final decision has yet been made.

News of a seemingly inevitable move into the highest coronavirus restrictions comes after a weekend of rumourmongering that central and outer boroughs of London could be segregated and split between tier two and tier three restrictions, in order to avoid a “£3 billion hit to the economy.”

More soon.