Stop going to the pub or I’ll BAN you, warns London Mayor Sadiq Khan during coronavirus crisis
SADIQ KHAN has warned Londoners they will be forced out of pubs if they keep ignoring coronavirus advice.
Revellers are still flocking to pubs in the capital and Mr Khan fears lives will be put at risk by those flouting the guidance from experts.
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Pictures have shown boozed-up Brits spilling out of clubs and bars as they continue to ignore government advice.
The pub-goers have been slammed on social media after cases of the killer bug rose to 3,269 yesterday with 144 deaths in the UK.
And the London Mayor has said civil liberties will have to be “infringed” to save lives as the government announced it could shut down parts of London to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Mr Khan said: “Our liberties and human rights need to be changed, curtailed, infringed — use whatever word you want.
“I am concerned about people not following the advice.
“There are still too many people being witnessed on our streets, in our bars, in our cafés, using the Tube, using our buses.”
It comes as:
- China and other Asian countries facing second wave of deadly infections
- Coronavirus test will be available to hundreds of thousands ASAP
- Government to use phone data to track people breaking virus lockdowns
- Brits suspected of having coronavirus could be held for up to six weeks
- Nurse’s tearful plea after ending 48-hour shift to find shelves empty
- Brits STILL ignore calls to stay out the pubs during crisis
Mr Khan added: “The advice from the government is just advice, and I think that provides a mixed message.
“We may move to a situation where we move from advice to bans.
“I can’t say this clearly enough. People should not be travelling by any means unless they absolutely must. The scientific advice on this is very clear.
“Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary, and this includes avoiding using the transport network.”
Yesterday, the coronavirus death toll in London shot up to 52 from 36 and now has three times more cases than any other part of the UK.
The government said it would not be preventing all transport going in and out of the city but Boris Johnson has said he is prepared to “bring tougher measures”.
The PM said: “If we feel that it isn’t working, as I said yesterday, and we need to bring forward tougher measures then of course nothing is ruled out.”
Twitter users last night criticised “irresponsible” Brits who continue to drink in pubs.
There are still too many people being witnessed on our streets, in our bars, in our cafés, using the Tube, using our buses.
Sadiq Khan
One user wrote: "Shocking isn’t it!? Some London pubs are packed. Dangerous irresponsible idiocy."
Another fumed: "People aren't exercising social distancing, bars are packed! Please Boris, for the love of God... and your people... shut the pubs!"
While another said: ";Local pub packed .... not a brain cell in there. But PM won’t tell them that. Because he’s one of them."
There are fears defiant youngsters packing into pubs don't realise the danger they are putting themselves in and believe they may not be as affected by the bug as the elderly.
But Britain's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has warned young people they would not "breeze through" coronavirus.
The government's chief scientific adviser has also begged young adults to swerve the pub as the UK can't beat the disease if they flout the rules.
And Sir Patrick Vallance said "mixing" in bars and restaurants "needs to stop" because it is allowing the virus to rampage through Britain.
Yesterday, London’s Tube and train shutdown started as up to 40 stations are set to close.
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Nine stations shut on Thursday morning and the rest of the capital's transport network will be scaled back today with the Waterloo & City line shut completely and Night Tube services scrapped.
TfL will further limit the rest of the Tube network with fewer trains running - and around half the number of services passing through Zone 1.
London Overground, TfL Rail, the DLR and London Tram lines will also run fewer services.
The capital's bus network will run a Saturday service through the week.
