Gordon Ramsay announced this week that he would be temporarily closing all of his restaurants in London for the second time as the U.K. prepares for its second lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a video on his Twitter account, Gordon began by saying that he's thinking of everyone amid the lockdown and announced that he's "having to close all the restaurants down tonight. Yes, it's a big blow, second time for us. So, my number one concern are the teams: every chef, every waiter, everybody involved in putting these incredible restaurants together."
The chef went on to apologize to the customers who had planned to celebrate big events at his restaurant in the coming month: "To the thousands of guests that are booked across November in hope of celebrating their birthdays or just getting out and enjoying good food, good service and great ambience. We're shutting down for a month which is a huge blow for all of us."
This second lockdown in the U.K. is expected to last for four weeks and is in response to the rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few months. This lockdown, like the first, will include asking those who can work from home to do so and for all non-essential businesses, like bars and restaurants, to close except for take-out.
Gordon wrapped up his video by sending love and support to the National Health Service in the U.K. and he called the lockdown "vital." He also added that they will be back open on December 2, when the lockdown is expected to end, to celebrate the holiday season when it's hopefully safer to do so.
"We are going to reopen on the second December and celebrate Christmas together in true style," Gordon said: "Let's be honest, I don't think there's ever been a more anticipated 31st of December looming. Because I can't wait to get there, like you all, to welcome in 2021."
