Oh great, now they’re talking about a 9pm curfew for pubs

Pubs may be given a 9pm curfew if the rule of six doesn’t slow the spread of coronavirus.

Talk of curfews is “hurtling up the agenda” as the government considers extra measures to stop the rise in infections, reports The Sun, who reassuringly quote a source adding it’s not “imminent”.

A pub curfew is already reality in virus hotspot Bolton, where pubs and takeaways must shut at 10pm as part of local restrictions.

But at least a curfew is better than the measures taken by one North Yorkshire pub, which barred all people under the age of 25. The Oddfellows Arms blamed young people for the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The potential curfew has, understandably, angered pubs, with Greg Mulholland of the British Pubs Confederation saying: “If this happens, the industry will need a massive level of support, through grants and extended furlough.

“Pubs have been diligently following the rules, making sure people sanitise and social distance, and that will be the same at 6pm, 9pm or 11pm.”

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Pub bans under-25s after young people are blamed for spike in cases

• Local residents in student areas want unis to pay police to shut down parties

• Scotland is officially banning uni house parties from Monday