Sadiq Khan calls for curfew to be scrapped as London restaurateurs grapple with restrictions
In a statement, the London Mayor said that ditching the controversial measure would offer some much-needed support to restaurants and pubs that have seen bookings collapse and consumer confidence eradicated since the Government moved London from the 'medium' to 'high' risk Coronavirus tier last week.
“I have said for a while that the current curfew rule needs to be rapidly reviewed," said the Mayor.
"We saw the worrying consequences of increased social mixing on the streets and on public transport in the capital around 10pm immediately after its introduction.
“Now London and other parts of the country have moved into Tier 2 and higher restrictions, which prohibit household mixing, the current 10pm curfew policy makes even less sense and should be scrapped."
The Government's decision to move London from Tier 1 to Tier 2 means households across the capital are now barred from mixing in any indoor setting including pubs, restaurants and bars.
As well as calling for the Government to scrap the curfew, the Mayor also made a plea for more financial support to be given to businesses grappling with the tighter restrictions.
“Immediately scrapping the 10pm curfew would allow more sittings of single households in restaurants throughout the evening, helping with cashflow at a time when venues need all the support they can get," he said.
“The Government still haven’t got a grip on this virus and provided a functioning test and trace system. Ministers must give businesses the support they need to survive while restrictions remain in place.
"This includes access to a proper job retention scheme in line with the 80% furlough scheme in place at the start of the pandemic.”
The Mayor's comments come a day after hundreds of hospitality workers converged on Parliament Square in protest, and demanded the Government review its policies relating to hospitality venues - both in terms of restrictions and industry specific support.
