London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display cancelled

After a meeting with local council leaders and government officials, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Friday that there was concern that the infection was spreading across the United Kingdom capital at an accelerating speed, which would make tougher measures necessary.

After viewing the latest coronavirus data, Mr Khan claimed that it was "increasingly likely" new restrictions would have to be imposed soon.

Mr Hancock said he had spoken with Mr Khan over the weekend about what action is needed in the capital.

His statements came as Boris Johnson on Friday (18) confirmed the United Kingdom was bracing for a second pandemic wave.

"We've been under restrictions for some weeks now, unlike London, and our experience would be that maybe they have some impact, but I think sometimes it's overemphasised the amount of impact these measures have", he said.

"I am of the firm view that we should not wait, as happened six months ago, for this virus to again spiral out of control before taking action", he said.

He warned that if people do not follow the rules, including the rule of six, further restrictions may be necessary.

As the prime minister had confirmed the "start of a second wave of Covid-19 across the UK", Khan added, "the best thing for both public health and the economy is new restrictions imposed early, rather than a full lockdown when it's too late".

Britain is at COVID-19 tipping point, health minister says
He also revealed that discussions about implementing further restrictions in London with London mayor Sadiq Khan are ongoing. It was supported by Mr Hancock, who said Sunday: "We were expecting an increase in demand for people with symptoms".

He went on to hit out at the Government over delays in the coronavirus testing system.

Sadiq Khan has cancelled New Year's Eve celebrations in London as he confirmed there will be "no fireworks" and "nothing happening" on December 31.

"I've had discussions this week with the Mayor of London and the teams are meeting today to discuss further what might be needed".

But Mr Khan told LBC radio on Friday morning: "There will not be fireworks on New Year's Eve this year like in previous years". There were 3,300 recorded new cases on Thursday alone.

He was speaking as he visited Air Edel Studios in Marylebone as part of an appeal to the Government to extend the business rates holiday, amid fears thousands of jobs could be lost in the capital and across the country.

His comments came as the Government announced people in England will face fines of up to £10,000 if they refuse an order to self-isolate.

Similar curbs were already in force in the north-west and north-east of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands.