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The first night of the 10 p.m. curfew in pubs and restaurants has been largely uneventful in England, but some places are warning that the absence of night drinkers could jeopardize their future.
In London, there was a small police presence on the streets of Soho last night, but no problems were reported.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joined a patrol in Shoreditch, a trendy area in the east of the capital, to remind the public of the steps they must take to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Last night there was a small police presence on the streets of Soho
Scotland Yard plans to step up enforcement of COVID regulations in the coming days and weeks as infection rates in London continue to rise.
The big test for the facilities and the police will likely come on Fridays and Saturdays, where more people head to pubs and bars.
The Met said the enforcement, which could include on-site fines, will only be carried out as a last resort, but has warned officials that they “will not hesitate to use their powers to deal with flagrant violations of regulations.”
Assistant Deputy Commissioner Matt Twist said: “The vast majority of Londoners have played by the rules and responded positively to the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in. We thank you for that.
“Over the past few months, we have continued to intervene where necessary to protect the public, even as the rules were relaxed, with officers working hard to address challenging incidents such as unlicensed music events throughout the summer, sometimes facing extreme hostility. and even violence.
The new restrictions could be in effect for the next six months.
“However, it is clear that there is a renewed need for everyone to do everything possible to minimize the risk of transmission of what is a life-threatening disease – that is, for everyone to follow the rules.”
Wolverhampton Police posted a video on Twitter thanking the public for complying with the new regulations and said all venues had closed by 10pm.
However, the measurements in Wales are slightly different as pub goers will have an additional 20 minutes to finish their drinks after the last orders at 10pm.
Cardiff city center quickly emptied after pubs and restaurants closed at 10pm
The curfew comes as the UK reported 6,634 new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours at 9 am on Thursday – the highest daily total ever recorded.
It is reported that 40 more people died within 28 days after testing positive for COVID-19, show the official figures. The last time the daily death toll exceeded 40 was on July 14, when 44 deaths were recorded.
Sky News correspondents in London and Birmingham were in the city center as it approached 10pm to see how the curfew was being handled.
Police watch as an artist passes through Soho
LONDON: “In general, people complied”
By Ashna Hurynag, News Correspondent
If anyone was anticipating anger on the first night of the national curfew, they would be pleasantly surprised. In general, people complied, and after initially flooding the streets when the clock struck 10 p.m., they dispersed into the night.
In Soho, the party district that promises a feast of fun and festivity, the fluorescent vests and jackets of law enforcement officials stood out among revelers enjoying the last hours of social freedom at their favorite restaurants.
But just seconds after he took his last sip of his drink, just minutes before 10 p.m., venues were clearing tables, stacking chairs, and pulling people out doors.
Bars and restaurants that have made their way through a rough summer were eager to abide by every letter of the new restrictions and do everything possible to avoid a hefty fine.
Licensing inspectors, community guards and even the Metropolitan Police commissioner were enforcing the new curfew.
Some Met officers marched door-to-door in the early afternoon reminding the facility of the new departure time.
But they hardly needed to be checked, the venues were amply prepared for early closure despite a few days’ notice.
Yet many are frustrated to learn how many millions of pounds will be lost during this six-month ban on nighttime frivolity.
Many openly wonder if their business will survive six months of this
BIRMINGHAM: “At 10 PM, It seemed more like 4 AM”
By Becky Johnson, Midlands Correspondent
At 10 pm. Birmingham city center was eerily quiet.
Hurst Street pubs and bars had last ordered at 9:30 PM. By official closing time, everyone had left.
On a street that generally has some of the busiest bars in town, it seemed like 4am.
“This is when people have just arrived,” said a bar owner. “Students don’t usually come out until 10 or 11 at night. People must have decided that it’s not worth coming out of the closet.”
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There was no more activity in other parts of the city center.
“Usually we do 40% of our trading after 10pm,” said the marketing manager for Aluna, a cocktail bar in Mailbox. “All of that is gone.”
A group of students were scathing about the new rule and whether it will reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.
“People will risk the rules. The night will not end here. There will be parties,” they said.
A “normal” Thursday night is a vague memory here, before the pandemic, when people flocked to pubs and clubs.
“We did well” tonight, said a bar owner. “But by okay, I mean we did 25% of the business we did on a normal Thursday.”
Many openly wonder if their business will survive six months after this.
