Getty
-
London could be heading for lockdown within days as UK government officials consider plans to tackle the rapid spread of coronavirus in the city.
-
Reports suggest thousands of bars and restaurants could be closed and public events banned.
-
Police could guard supermarkets.
-
40 London Underground Stations are being closed.
-
18 more people died of the coronavirus in London in the past 24 hours
-
Downing Street denies any plans to prevent people from leaving or entering the city.
-
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Plans to place London into “lockdown” to prevent the rapid spread of the coronavirus could be announced as early as Friday as officials consider drastic plans to impose tough new measures for the UK capital
The Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Wednesday that the UK government are developing plans for “stringent measures” for the city, which would be announced imminently.
According to multiple reports, the measures under consideration included:
A Downing Street spokesperson on Thursday denied the government has any plans to restrict movement in and out of the city, or that limits would be placed on how many people could leave their homes.
However, they signalled that further restrictions on pubs and restaurants were being considered.
Keep on reading below for the latest information on potential plans to put London into lockdown.
Thousands of London businesses could be shut down
Getty
The Telegraph reports that the UK government continues to draw up plans to forcibly close London businesses, such as pubs and restaurants if Londoners continue to flout the guidance to stay at home.
It comes as anecdotal reports of pubs and gyms continuing to be rammed throughout the city.
Another 18 people die in London hospitals
Getty
Another 18 people have died in London hospitals in the past 24 hours as coronavirus cases in the city continue to surge well above the level found in the rest of the UK.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet with Boris Johnson
Getty
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is due to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday, Bloomberg reported, as discussions continue about what new measures to impose on the capital.
Downing Street denies any plan to restrict travel in and out of London
Frank Augstein-WPA Pool/Getty Images
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday denied some of the reported details about plans for a possible London lockdown.
The spokesperson said on Thursday: “There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restriction being placed on travelling in or out of London.”
They also dismissed reports that there would be limits on the number of people allowed out of their homes at any time as “not true” and said there were “no plans” to use the army to maintain public order.
However, Downing Street sources suggest new measures to enforce the closure of pubs and restaurants are under consideration.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in London rise to 953
Getty
The total number of coronavirus cases in the London region has risen to 953 according to the latest government figures.
London lockdown announcement could come on Friday
Getty
Reports differ on when a potential London lockdown could be announced. However, when asked about the plans on Wednesday, a Downing Street source insisted that nothing would be announced within 48 hours.
This ties with other reports that an announcement is due before the weekend, with new restrictions in place by next week.
40 London Underground stations closed across the city
Getty
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Thursday that he will close 40 Tube stations across the city as it prepares for what City Hall officials anticipate will be a broader lockdown.
Khan is also reducing the frequency of services on the Tube, overground and buses, as many Londoners move to working from home.
You can read the full plans here.
City Hall kept in the dark over London lockdown
Getty
Sources close to London Mayor Sadiq Khan say that he has been kept in the dark about what the national government is planning for London.
Two sources close to London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan told Business Insider that he had not been consulted about any lockdown.
“We haven’t heard anything from them about this,” one said.
City Hall officials believe the secrecy may be due to the government remaining unsure about the extent of any lockdown.
“Maybe Downing Street don’t know [when this will happen]” they explained.”
Could Paris be the model for London’s lockdown?
Getty Images
Other European cities have already implemented lockdowns on their major cities.
In Paris, residents require a form before they are authorised to leave their homes, Business Insider reported earlier this week.
The Financial Times reports that similar plans were being considered for London.
However, Downing Street deny that such restrictive measures are under consideration.
Read the original article on Business Insider