5 Things To Do During Coronavirus CurfewBy Angelica Malin
The novelty coronavirus is still among us and with the immediate danger of a second wave, the prime minister Boris Johnson announced stricter measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately save lives.
One of the new restrictions is a night curfew, meaning that restaurants, bars, and pubs have to shut their doors no later 10 pm for the foreseeable future. This is not only, and especially, a major blow to the entire hospitality industry but will yet again impact our social lives for quite some time.
If you wonder what there is to do when the clock strikes at 10 pm, here are some ideas to keep your life exciting.
Walks at Midnight
Although businesses in the hospitality industry will have to shut their doors at 10 pm, it doesn’t mean that you have to go home at that time. At the point of writing, you are allowed to stay outdoors and enjoy, for example, a walk through the West End at night. Since all pubs and bars are closed, you will be amazed by the sheer beauty of Oxford or Regent street without all the buzz. Especially during the upcoming Christmas season, it will feel magical.
Zoom Quizzes
The one company, besides Amazon, that probably benefited the most from coronavirus is undoubtedly Zoom. The American communications technology company emerged rose like a phoenix from the ashes and quickly becomes the world’s most popular video conferencing tool.
Now, if your work requires you to engage in zoom calls daily, it sounds like probably the last thing you want to in your free time. However, you would be surprised how much fun a zoom quiz can be. Nominate one of your friends to come up with questions and create your own virtual pub quiz – including the booze if you want.
Casino Games
Casinos in London will once again be fighting for their survival once the new restrictions kick in. In a letter to Sadiq Khan, the bosses of London’s 26 land-based casinos – such as the Hippodrome and the Grosvenor – urge the major to review the curfew for their sector since casinos do almost two-thirds of their trade after 10 pm. With thousands of jobs at risk, the venues are desperately trying to find a compromise where they shut their bars at 10 pm but are allowed to remain open for gambling.
While it remains unclear whether Mayor of London Khan will agree to such compromise, it’s worth mentioning that most casino games can also be played online. Payout rates often tend to be even higher than at brick and mortar establishments, and registration is quick and easy. However, it’s important to point out that gambling online can quickly lead to an increase in playtime, so it’s important to always stay in control of your spending habits.
Drive-In Theatre
If you want to get out of the house, then you might want to check out one of many drive-in theatres in and around London. Once the hippest thing in town, these type of cinemas have become increasingly popular over the last few months. With a mix of classic and newly released films, your night is a guaranteed success.
So if you fancy watching movies like Grease, Pretty Woman or Clueless while munching popcorn inside your car, drive-in theatres are the way to go. By the way – if you’re about to go on a date and have not yet decided where to go, car cinemas are also a perfect first-date idea.
New Hobby
Have you ever wanted to learn guitar, get better at drawing or pick up a new language? Now is your chance to do just that. With pubs and restaurants closing at 10 pm, you will find yourself with a lot of time on your hands in the evenings and on the weekend.
Just pick one hobby you always wanted to pursue and give it a go. Remember – getting started is the most challenging bit, so don’t set your goals too high right from the start. A couple hours per day will quickly turn into a habit and from that point on it’s going to be a walk in the park.
