Health Secretary Matt Hancock explained the Government’s motivations for such measures this week.
At the Conference of British Industry, he said: “Outside your household and socialising between households, the highest place in the incidence of likely transmission, measured by where people have contacts, is unfortunately hospitality.
“Now obviously that finding is not good news in terms of the policy action we have to take for that sector.”
He told the Daily Express: “We must not let up. Since the beginning of this global pandemic, this Government’s top priority has been to do everything we can to support the NHS and save lives.
“I’m acutely aware that the measures we have announced are very tough and many people have made major sacrifices this year. But we need to stick at it.”
Dr Adam Kucharski supported claims stopping indoor social gatherings could prove effective.
He said: “We have got now good evidence that a lot of transmissions particularly happens at prolonged indoor interactions, particularly among close-knit gatherings, so, obviously pubs and restaurants are one potential setting for that to happen.”
