Theatres and other entertainment venues on the brink of reopening could be forced to abandon those plans from Thursday under the government's tough new restrictions to break the growth of a coronavirus second wave.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said entertainment venues would close until at least December 2, and admitted the new measures would be challenging for businesses that have already had to “endure such hardship” this year. Parliament is expected to confirm the new proposals by Wednesday.
After a month, the country is expected to return to the current tiered system of restrictions – meaning theatres might be able to return to their Christmas plans. But ministers admitted today (Sunday) that if the rate of infection hasn't fallen by early December, the lockdown might need to continue.