BREAKING (THREAD): Today, I exposed the fact that Govt has made no assessment of the cost of 10pm Covid closure on pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses @UKHofficial @CAMRA_Official This follows concerns it hasn’t published medical evidence to justify it either. /1 https://twitter.com/independent/status/1309593643418890242

The 10pm closure could have the unintended consequence of encouraging people to gather in less safe environments, with none of the professionally applied Covid-secure measures that are put in place by venues. /2

I’m concerned about reports that the SAGE had not modelled the effect of this curfew, key members have openly stated that there is no evidence it will be effective, and the behavioural science sub-group of SAGE had not been consulted on how people will react. /3

I’m calling on the Government to urgently publish the medical, scientific and behavioural evidence behind the decision to impose a 10pm closure time or otherwise reverse that decision. /4

The Govt’s chaotic and incompetent response to the pandemic continues to unnecessarily put lives and livelihoods at risk. I urge them now to follow an evidence-based approached to both the public health and economic impact of COVID-19. /5 (ends)