Sadiq Khan issues Covid plans for London including wearing Facemasks in all public areas

Sadiq Khan has outlined a new lockdown plan for London.

The measures include reduced opening hours for pubs and bars and extending the wearing of face masks on public transport and in shops to other public areas.

He also wants staff in hospitality venues to wear face masks too “where possible”.

The Mayor is also urging Londoners to work from home as much and avoid public transport “where possible” as cases grow.

Khan wants restrictions on Funerals and weddings as well and has said in his statement:

“The time does not matter. There is nothing magic about 10pm or 11pm.

The issue is the amount of hours people are spending together where they could be asymptomatic and the virus passes on.

By the way, none of this would be a problem if there was proper testing taking place.

Without adequate testing or contact tracing in London we have no choice but to look at other measures to slow the spread of the virus.

I firmly believe that acting early, rather than having to impose more stringest measures later, is the right thing to do both for public health and the economy.

I have just met with local council leaders from all parties and public health experts to agree a new London plan to slow the spread of the virus and save Londoners’ lives.

This includes some new restrictions. We will collectively be asking the government to implement this plan as soon as possible and I will be discussing it with the Prime Minister tomorrow morning.

I will be as clear as possible with Londoners about the full details and what it means for them as soon as it is agreed with Government.

Londoners have shown incredible resolve by steadfastly following the rules and doing the right thing – at great cost.”

The Prime Minister is set to address the nation tonight at 8pm.