London mayor warns of ‘inevitable’ tighter restrictions across the capital

Khan said on LBC today that London was “at a tipping point” with the virus, and warned that stricter lockdown measures are “highly likely” to come into effect soon, possibly as early as next week. 

Any announcement for the capital is likely to come alongside the government’s new tiered restrictions system due to be announced on Monday. 

As part of the new three-tiered system, much of the North East and North West of England is expected to be placed in the top tier of restrictions, which would see pubs and restaurants forced to shut.

London may find itself at level two restrictions, with a ban on mixing between households being discussed. 

Quite what shape the restrictions in the capital take are up in the air, but Khan said steps needed to be taken urgently to stop the “alarming spread” of the virus. 

“My prediction is there will be more restrictions being brought in because we don’t want to see in October and November what we saw in March and April,” he said.

Khan said any new restrictions would not be introduced on a borough by borough basis but London-wide as this was “the most effective way to reduce the spread of this virus”. 

Thirty out of 32 boroughs in London have seen Covid-19 cases surge over the last two weeks.

Khan’s warning comes on the day that chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled what he called an “extension” to his job support scheme, effectively extending furlough for workers in businesses forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions. 

Sunak committed the government to paying two-thirds of the salaries of those put on to the new scheme due to increasing restrictions. 

The government’s original furlough scheme is due to finish at the end of the month, after which Sunak’s new policy will come into force from November 1 and last for at least six months. 

He said the latest jobs package came ahead of “what could be a difficult winter” for the UK.