Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged Downing Street to put a substantial support package in place to protect the capital’s nine million population as coronavirus cases surge

Mayor Sadiq Khan briefed the capital’s health chiefs about such a move after a meeting of the Joint Biosecurity Centre yesterday.

He is also urging Downing Street to put a substantial support package in place.

Moving from “medium” up to “high” would ban Londoners from mixing with other households indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

The Mayor of London has sought clarity on provisions made for businesses, support for vulnerable Londoners and test and trace efforts in the capital, including for those self-isolating after warning the city is on the verge.

The meeting was chaired by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, and an announcement could come as soon as Friday.

It also saw recommendations for much of the North West and North East and large parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands to be placed in the “very high” Tier 3.