Government has extended powers it gives to local councils in England, allowing them to
pubs and restaurants
The powers, introduced last year, were due to expire next week but have now been extended until mid-July
It comes after a 70-strong group of backbench Tory MPs demanded timetable for lifting of Covid restrictions
Downing Street refused to rule out England s third lockdown, due to end in February, could stretch to summer
This week Government scientists urged ministers to delay reopening of pubs until May to slow Covid spread
Government quietly changes law to give councils lockdown powers until July 17 this year Vaccinations will of course bring immunity from Covid, but they must bring immunity from lockdowns and restrictions too
23 January 2021 • 9:00pm
The Government has quietly extended lockdown laws to give councils the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until July 17 this year.
The news will be a major setback for those hoping that life might have returned to normal by early summer once more people are vaccinated against coronavirus.
It comes after Boris Johnson admitted late last week that it s too early to say when we ll be able to lift some of the restrictions .
Downing Street slapped down the calls from Tories warning that the NHS is still under significant pressure
Evidence mounting that the outbreak is starting to flatten with SAGE saying the R rate has dipped below one
The PM has triggered alarm among MPs by refusing to rule out brutal third lockdown stretching into summer
Government scientists have been urging ministers to delay reopening of pubs and hospitality until May
Covid-19 claims nearly 6,000 hospitality venues 22nd January, 2021 by Melita Kiely
Almost 6,000 licensed venues in Britain were forced to permanently close in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, sparking urgent calls for more financial help to support businesses and the wider economic recovery.
Almost 6,000 licensed venues in Britain permanently closed in 2020 because of the pandemic
The latest Market Recovery Monitor data from CGA and Alix Partners showed the number of closures last year was almost three times higher than in 2019. Lockdowns contributed to a net decline of 5,975 sites in 2020, according to the report.
Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director for hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said: “Our report takes stock of the huge damage wreaked by the pandemic on the licensed sector in 2020.