Pubs could be forced to shut at 9pm if the new rule of six doesn’t work

A curfew of 9pm at pubs could be put in place if the ‘rule of six’ does not successfully slow the spread of coronavirus, according to some reports.

A ministerial ‘Covid Gold Command’ meeting is reportedly taking place today to discuss different ways to help stop the spread of coronavirus, and a curfew on pubs is being considered, according to The Sun.

A source told the paper that a ‘curfew is hurtling up the agenda,’ with another adding that it was ‘actively under consideration’ but that it would not be an ‘imminent enforcement’.

The latest rules mean anyone meeting in groups of more than six people could be broken up by the police or fined £100. 

The proposal of a pub curfew will likely add more pressure to the Chancellor, who is being urged to extend the furlough scheme for the hospitality industry.

Greg Mulholland from the British Pubs Confederation has warned that a curfew would see the industry in need of a ‘massive level of support’ through extended furlough and grants.

He added that ‘these proposals risk destroying the Great British pub’, explaining that pubs have been ‘diligently following the rules.’ 

Britons were also warned of a 10pm curfew that could be put in place across the country if there is another peak in infections.

The curfew could be similar to that already in place in Bolton, where venues have to close between 10pm and 5am. Restaurants are also only permitted to sell takeaways, as the Greater Manchester borough became the area with the highest infection rate in England. 

On Sunday, 3,330 coronavirus cases were reported in the country, up 11% from the previous Sunday.