London's bars and restaurants to close for the third time as the COVID-19 accelerates

World

Published: 2020-12-16 14:10

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 07:26


Photo: BBC
Photo: BBC

 London's restaurants and bars closed their doors Wednesday for the third time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as the British capital and some parts of southern England were designated high-risk areas.

According to British media, 34 million people in England are under a "very high" warning, which is equivalent to 61 percent of the population of England.

The new tightening of restrictions announced by Health Minister Matt Hancock due to the "steady" outbreak of the pandemic, includes the closure of hotels, bars and restaurants, with the exception of home delivery and pick-up services upon departure, as well as the closure of cultural sites such as cinemas, theaters and museums.

Those who can, should work from home, and residents should avoid movement for unnecessary reasons. Social contact must be reduced, and mixing with people outside the same family is prohibited, except in open spaces such as parks.

Schools, supermarkets and hairdressing salons can remain open, as can sports clubs, but group classes are prohibited.

This new closure, the third in the capital, is a "disaster" for theaters, as has been denounced by the Theater Trust, which represents the sector in Britain.

According to Emma McLaren, general manager of the British pub association, "British Bear and Door Association," the closure is a new "nail" in the coffin of pubs in London and other areas concerned, which have already accepted reservations on the occasion of the holidays.

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Health authorities have begun studying a new strain of the virus discovered in the United Kingdom to determine its role in the current rise in the number of infections.

On Monday, the chief doctor of England, Chris Whitty, said during a press conference Monday that it is not known whether this strain is more common because it is present in an area where the spread of the virus is already accelerating, or whether the virus "itself" is able to spread more easily.

Two prominent medical magazines on Tuesday urged the government to reconsider the idea of easing restrictions over the Christmas period, warning that it would cost "a lot of" lives.

The British authorities decided to allow three different households to gather between December 23 and December 27, in what constitutes a temporary lifting of restrictions applied in most parts of the country.

In a joint article, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal warned of the risk of pressure that public health care services would be exposed to, while the number of injuries and transfers to hospitals increased again in some areas.

On Tuesday, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove discussed this issue with local government officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but no decision has been announced at this stage in this regard.

Britain is one of the countries most affected by the virus in Europe in terms of the number of deaths.

England is also the first western country to start a mass vaccine campaign against the virus.