An activist has put at least two huge signs with anti-lockdown slogans on Big Ben scaffolding.
"No Tier 3 lock-down for Gt N'n Pwrhse unless an xtra £2bn for whole region from Chester, Stoke, Derby, Nott'm, Boston, Skeg's to Scottish border. If not: Gt N'n rebellion. XR North + unions + BLM UK + LGTBQ + many more", one of the banners said.
Another banner, attached to the scaffolding, said: "Black and all lives matter so unify peoples of the world, unite and put things right". Metropolitan Police officers are currently at the scene, dealing with the incident.
According to data published by the website of the London mayor, 8,830 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the UK capital from 5-11 October, which shows a 31.5 percent rise from the preceding week. In total, the number of infections in the UK is closing in on 800,000, with a death toll of over 44,000 - the highest in Europe, and the fifth in the world.
The lockdown regulation, adopted by the Boris Johnson government, stipulates three levels of restrictions. Tier 1, or the medium level, means gatherings above 6 are banned and a 10 p.m. closing time for pubs. Tier 2, or the high alert, prohibits citizens from mixing with other households indoors. And tier 3, or very high alert level means the strictest measures, including a ban on mixing between households and closure of all pubs and bars.