LCCI: further restrictions need clear evidence basis

Thursday 8 October 2020

Commenting on potential further Covid-19 restrictions in London, Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“As Covid-19 cases increase, it is clear that Test and Trace performance is getting worse and is the reason we are once again talking about greater restrictions. The Government needs to get a grip of the system urgently.

“There are rumours leaking from government about the tightening of restrictions and to which sectors and geographic areas they will apply. What London businesses ask of government is that any measures that are necessary are implemented in a manner that truly tackles transmission and are based on clear evidence that we can all see. Citing ‘common sense’ is not sufficient. Government must produce impact assessments of those restrictions alongside clear announcements of the financial support to be made to mitigate the effects on jobs, businesses and the high street. Government must explain how its decisions reduce transmission and not simply steps that produce converse reactions in the public. For instance, the 10pm curfew in London has resulted in the public leaving venues all at one time and crowding onto public transport.”