By Lucy Caulkett-
London was today placed on the national Covid “watch list” as an area of high concern.
The news comes in the wake of 620 new cases were confirmed in the capital in the last 24 hours – more than double the number at the start of the week.
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Thirty-five more patients with Covid were admitted to the capital in the last 24-hour period, taking the total to 212, of which 40 are on ventilators.
Public Health England is set to issue a formal announcement on the matter, but the announcement was made this morning by London Councils, which represents the 33 boroughs.
Council leaders said the decision to place the capital on the watch list – alongside places such as Bolton and Blackburn – was a “stark reminder” of the need for “all Londoners to pull together and take action to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe, and to ensure that London’s economy is protected”.
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All pubs, bars and restaurants have been mandated to operate a table-service only, except for takeaways, and all hospitality venues must close at 10pm.
More people are also to wear face coverings – staff working in retail; all users of taxis and private hire vehicles; and staff and customers in indoor hospitality venues – except when seated at tables to eat or drink.
In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, government’s Covid-secure guidelines will become legal obligations.
A maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions. The rule of six is being extended to all adult indoor team sports.
Business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events will not be able to reopen from 1 October.
Stronger penalties for failing to adhere to government restrictions: a fine of up to £10,000 for businesses that break the rules and the penalty for failing to wear a mask or breaking the rule of six will now double to £200 for a first offence.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “London is at a very worrying tipping point right now. We’re seeing a sharp rise in 111 calls, hospital admissions, and patients in ICU.
“The near collapse of test and trace and the resurgence of the virus means new measures to slow its spread were absolutely necessary. “Testing capacity was diverted away from London in the last two weeks to other national hot spots and weekly testing numbers are now down 43 per cent in the capital since mid-August. The lack of testing capacity is totally unacceptable and it is why London has been added to the Government’s coronavirus watchlist as an area of concern.
“Ministers simply have to get a grip. It’s vital that testing capacity is increased immediately in London and focused in the areas it is needed most. Any delay will mean letting the city down and will cost lives.”
London Councils, a cross-party organisation which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London, said no additional measures were being taken in the capital. But it warned the entry on the list is a “stark reminder that now is time for all Londoners to pull together and take action to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe, and to ensure that London’s economy is protected”.
A statement read: “There are no additional measures at this stage but it is welcome that that the city’s testing capacity is boosted so that Londoners have timely access to Covid-19 tests and the Government must ensure that this is sustained from now on. If Londoners have Covid-19 symptoms they should apply for a test at nhs/coronavirus or call 119
Sources said the decision to make London an area of concern would improve access to tests – effectively putting it higher up the queue. The number of extra cases and rising hospital admissions were both key factors in the decision to put the capital on the watchlist.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson and London MP Munira Wilson said: “This news will worry people across London and more widely. Extra testing capacity is of course welcome, but London’s capacity should never have had to be diverted elsewhere. Most importantly we need to ensure the test and trace system in London and around the country is working properly
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