‘We have no choice’
LONDON MAYOR SADIQ KHAN DRAWS UP LOCKDOWN PLAN FOR THE CAPITAL TO CURB THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS –
SADIQ Khan has announced that a lockdown plan has been drawn up for London and he will ask Boris Johnson to implement it as soon as possible.
The Mayor of London held an emergency meeting with London council leaders across party lines and public health experts on Monday, when it was agreed that a “new London plan” including new lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus should be introduced.
He says the capital has been left with “no choice” but to look at tougher measures given the huge problems with the availability of coronavirus tests and also issues with England’s contact tracing system.
“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,” Mr Khan said in a statement.
“I firmly believe that acting early, rather than having to impose more stringent 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 (Tuesday).”
It is not yet clear what the measures will include, though they were set to be discussed with the UK government on Tuesday as we went to press, with the Mayor saying he expected to be invited to the government’s Tuesday COBRA meeting.
“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,” Mr Khan added.
He also said he was “deeply frustrated”, like many Londoners, that new tougher restrictions are imminent but he said action now would prevent a more difficult lockdown in the future.
“Londoners have shown incredible resolve by steadfastly following the rules and doing the right thing – at great cost.
“However, taking firm action now to prevent a deeper and longer lockdown in the future is without a doubt the best thing to both save lives and protect jobs and our economic recovery.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to announce tougher national lockdown rules on Tuesday, though it remains to be seen whether he will agree to separate restrictions for London.