Gov says 10pm curfew ‘balances saving lives and minimising economic impact’
The Morning Advertiser (The MA) contacted the Department of Health and Social Care, asking for the scientific evidence behind the 10pm curfew decision.
A Government spokesperson said: “These measures strike a balance between saving lives and protecting our NHS and the most vulnerable and minimising the wider impact on the economy and schools.
“The latest data suggests a considerable rise in the infection rate from within the hospitality sector in recent weeks, so we have taken immediate action to cut the transmission rate and save lives.
“We’ve acted decisively to support the hospitality sector throughout the coronavirus outbreak and will keep all measures under constant review.”
Judicial review
The MA was also made aware of Public Health England (PHE) data that showed events and activities reported by people testing positive, prior to showing symptoms onset (as of 4.30am on 24 September).
About 12,500 contacts ate out, followed by around 12,000 saying they had been shopping. Approximately 3,000 had taken day trips and entertainment events.
Meanwhile, owner and CEO of nightclub business G-A-Y Jeremy Joseph has launched a legal challenge to the Government’s 10pm national curfew on hospitality venues.
Joseph is looking for a judicial review to have the curfew overturned, which was implemented from Thursday 24 September.
Curfew impact
His legal team have written to secretary of state Matt Hancock with a formal challenge to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 as amended on 24 September to include the nationwide 10pm curfew.
Furthermore, 35% of operators won’t survive six months with the 10pm curfew in effect, an industry poll found.
The latest Hospitality Leaders Poll carried out by Lumina Intelligence for MCA, The Morning Advertiser, Restaurant and Big Hospitality also revealed the number of bookings the 358 board-level members of pubs, restaurants and food-to-go operations have had cancelled since the 10pm curfew was enforced.
