Pubs may stay shut & masks worn on Tube in London’s ‘new normal’, says Sadiq Khan
SADIQ KHAN has warned pubs and restaurants may remain closed when London's coronavirus lockdown is eased.
The London Mayor also said in the capital's "new normal" commuters will have to wear masks on the Tube and workers and schools would need staggered start times to keep crowding to a minimum.
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He set out a bleak picture for a post-lockdown London and said that people would only be able to see their loved ones "occasionally."
But he demanded the public is "treated as adults" over the government's plans to relieve the Covid-19 lockdown.
Writing in , Mr Khan said: "There will be no return to life as it was – instead we face a ‘new normal’ even once lockdown is eased.
"We may be able to occasionally see our closest loved ones – but interactions will be limited and for a while there will be no larger gatherings.
"While non-essential shops will be able to reopen after introducing social distancing measures, it is difficult to see how this can safely be extended to bars, restaurants or social spaces in a practicable way soon."
He said start times for schools and workplaces would have to be staggered throughout the day to reduce crowds in rush hour and that working from home must continue where possible.
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People travelling on public transport are likely to have to wear "non-medical face coverings to reduce the risk to others," he said.
The stark warning comes as Britain's death toll rose on Thursday to 26,771 after another 674 people died from the virus.
Boris Johnson, speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference for the first time since he fell ill with the virus, said he will set out a plan next week to kickstart the economy, get kids back to school and find a way to make workplaces safer.
But most Londoners now working from home will need to continue doing so for the foreseeable future, Mr Khan believes.
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The capital's transport system faces "specific challenges" under social distancing guidelines for people to stay two metres apart.
And fears have been raised by emergency planners that London's transport network could be "rapidly overwhelmed" by a surge of passengers.
As a result, Londoners would have to walk or cycle more often, the mayor believes.
Mr Khan added: "People using public transport are likely to have to use non-medical face coverings to reduce the risk to others – as governments around the world and now the Scottish Government is advising.
";Start times for schools and workplaces will have to be staggered throughout the day to avoid a congested rush hour and limit overcrowding."
He also hailed Britain's "resurging community spirit" and the weekly "clap for carers" to salute NHS and care home workers on the coronavirus frontline.
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But he warned of "longer-term consequences" of the Covid-19's outbreak's financial hammer blow to Transport for London (TfL), cautioning "we shouldn’t look backwards to life as it was before this virus".
More than eight million Brits could be furloughed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak as "millions face destitution", the mayor wrote.
He called for "unprecedented Government support to keep the economy moving", with the capital's nightlife and tourist industry battered by a huge downturn in trade.
