London schools must close amid ‘deeply concerning’ rise in cases, urges Sadiq Khan

London mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Boris Johnson to immediately increase Covid-19 testing provision across the capital, and close schools early, amid a “deeply concerning” rise in cases. 

Mr Khan wrote to the prime minister on Sunday to request more testing for people who are unable to work from home and students.

He also asked for a compensation scheme to be implemented for businesses ahead of any further restrictions the capital is facing because of the rise in coronavirus case numbers.

In his letter, he warned that moving London from tier 2 into tier 3 would have a “catastrophic” economic impact and put “hundreds of thousands of livelihoods at stake”.

“I am calling on the government to urgently provide additional support to get the spread under control, save lives and livelihoods and ensure our NHS is not overwhelmed this winter,” wrote Mr Khan.

“Increased testing is key to this, which is why I want to see regular asymptomatic testing extended to all those unable to work from home and to students and staff at London’s secondary schools, sixth-form college and FE (further education) colleges.”

The mayor said there had been “significant” outbreaks of the virus among 10 to 19-year-olds in London and urged the government to consider asking schools and colleges to close early ahead of Christmas and reopen later in January.

It comes as Mr Khan called for all schools in London to shut from Tuesday, four days earlier than scheduled, after Greenwich council announced it will close schools in the borough for Christmas from tonight.

He also said face coverings should be made compulsory in busy outdoor public spaces, in anticipation for the increase in Christmas shoppers over the coming weeks.

“Time is running out to get the virus under control in our city which is why I urge the government to heed my call and provide us with the extra support we desperately need,” he said.

Mr Khan’s letter to Mr Johnson was jointly signed by London Councils chair Georgia Gould and noted that the seven-day case rate in the capital had risen in 32 local authority areas compared to the week before.

There were also 17 boroughs where the seven-day rate exceeded 200 cases per 100,000 people, with the borough of Havering worst-hit by the virus as it reported 1,314 new cases in the seven days to 9 December – equivalent to 506.3 cases per 100,000 people.

The compensation scheme requested by Mr Khan would cover all lost income during the Christmas period “based on last year’s returns”, whilst compensation for new businesses should be based on “estimates of income using data for similar firms”.

He wrote: “Should the government decide to move London to further restrictions, current support is insufficient to keep many businesses and the self-employed afloat.

“The Christmas and new year period provides a huge part of annual takings for the hospitality, culture and events industries, and the period this year was likely to be the difference between businesses surviving the pandemic and failing.”