‘Beers are going to be fun this winter’: Londoners react with panic on social media as capital is put into ‘high’ alert lockdown – to the amusement of northerners already under tough measures
- Health Secretary says London will move to Tier Two lockdown from Saturday
- Households banned from socialising indoors and advised to work from home
- People reacted on social media with confusion and frustration at new rules
Frustrated Londoners have reacted to the government’s plans to stop groups socialising as the city moves into Tier Two lockdown restrictions.
From Saturday, nine million people in the capital will be banned from mixing with other households indoors, including in bars and other venues.
Socialising is still allowed outdoors – including in pub and private gardens – if it is within the Rule of Six.
But some on social media joked that pubgoers would be left to freeze in cold conditions outside if they wanted to meet up with friends.
Frustrated Londoners have reacted to the government’s plans to stop groups socialising as the city moves into Tier Two lockdown restrictions. ‘Beers going to be fun this winter,’ joked one in reference to having to sit outside to see friends at a pub
Boris Johnson (left) leaves 10 Downing Street in Westminster yesterday for Prime Minister’s Questions. Sadiq Khan (right) warned this morning that Londoners face a ‘difficult winter ahead’ as the capital moves to Tier Two restrictions
‘Me trying to socialise outdoors for #londonlockdown. Coffee?’ said one, adding a photo of people in a snow storm.
‘Beers going to be fun this winter,’ added another.
The restrictions on London – also applied to Essex – stand in contrast to the rest of the south of England which remains in the ‘medium’ Tier One level of restrictions.
It led one commenter to suggest the city could be isolated in a huge glass dome like in the Simpsons movie.
The capital will go into the tighter controls from midnight tomorrow after a deal was done with Sadiq Khan.
The London Mayor was mocked for his wearing a gilet under his suit jacket at a city hall meeting today with some suggesting he ‘hadn’t paid the heating bill’.
Others criticised Khan for allowing such a quick move into a new level of restrictions which meant they had to cancel costly plans.
Marc Walsh wrote: ‘Looks like the two days notice of the #londonlockdown means @SadiqKhan has cost me £150 to not go to the restaurant I booked for my birthday. Which would have been the first time I’ve been out seeing mate for a month.’
Andy Wasley commented: ‘I’d like to thank every single person who has ignored the incredibly simple rules on masks, social distancing etc, for helping to force London into a new lockdown.
‘You are BRILLIANT. WELL DONE #londonlockdown #COVIDIOTS.’
Meanwhile, northerners already in tighter restrictions reacted by claiming Londoners were ‘finally’ joining them weeks after several areas of the north west were hit by local lockdowns.
‘Londoners trying to make sense of tier 2 lockdown rules while the rest of us have been living it for months,’ said Michael Liggins.
Overall, nearly 30million people – around half the population of England – will be in a heightened state of lockdown.
The Health Secretary told the Commons he ‘hated’ bringing in new measures, but it was the ‘only way’ to save lives. He said cases were ‘on a steep upward path’ in London.
‘Unless we suppress the virus we cannot return to the economy we had,’ he added.
In a grim message he warned: ‘Things will get worse before they get better.’
At City Hall earlier, Mr Khan said: ‘Nobody wants to see more restrictions – but this is deemed to be necessary in order to protect Londoners lives by myself, London Council Leaders and by ministers.
‘As part of our discussions, I’ve also made clear to the Government that we need more financial support for London’s businesses, workers and public services as we face more restrictions – and we will continue to make this case.’
Mr Johnson reviewed the proposals this morning after they were signed off by the ‘gold command’ group including chief medical officer Chris Whitty.
