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Only 13 percent of Britons still hope the “rule of six” will be eased before Christmas. The majority, 75 percent of those polled, believe the restriction will remain in place throughout the holidays.

When it comes to the handling of the Government’s response to the pandemic, 48 percent of participants polled for MailOnline do not approve of Boris Johnson’s actions during the health crisis.

Less than a third of people surveyed agreed with the actions taken by the Prime Minister.

The survey, conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, also found that Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is more popular than Mr Johnson.

It showed 20 percent supported Ms Sturgeon over Mr Johnson, followed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on 19 percent and Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 17 percent.

But 20 percent of participants thought none of the options offered would do a better job than Mr Johnson.

The Prime Minister faced backlash over his plans to shut hospitality outlets in the north.

The British Beer & Pub Association warned of the devastating effects of another lockdown on the hospitality sector.

The body issued a plea to the Government asking to be shown the evidence behind the Government’s latest decisions, including the 10ppm curfew.

In a statement, it said that it was “asking the Government for evidence-based, proportionate measures – calling into question the effectiveness local lockdowns on pubs will have in stopping the spread of the virus.”

It added that “no hard evidence has been given yet to suggest that pubs, with their strict adherence to Government guidelines, are unsafe, making it unclear if such blanket measures will make a major difference.”

The association added: “However, the BBPA says that whatever the additional restrictions the Government decides to implement are, they must be accompanied by additional and adequate financial support from the Government too.

“This it says would be crucial for pub businesses who could be forced to close again, which would push many of them to breaking point and force them to lay off staff, write off stock and cover fixed costs with low or no revenue at all in a bid for survival.

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“According to the BBPA, the Job Support Scheme set to replace the Job Retention Scheme in October was already not fit for purpose to save jobs. It certainly won’t protect jobs in pubs facing a local lockdown.

“It is urging the Government to act fast and pull together a comprehensive support package to ensure jobs are saved and pubs do not close their doors for good in communities facing a local lockdown.”

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Make no mistake, a local lockdown without immediate additional and adequate support will destroy many pubs.

“Our sector is already facing the 10pm curfew, rule of six, table service only and low levels of consumer confidence, meaning many are already struggling to stay open. A local lockdown would push many to breaking point – forcing them to close for good with countless jobs lost, impacting livelihoods and communities forever.

“We are still yet to see the hard evidence in England that blanket measures to lock down pubs, with their strict adherence to Government guidelines, will significantly stop the spread of the virus. Statistics citing that a proportion of people who test positive as having visited hospitality venues in recent weeks is not evidence in itself of greater risk.

“What we do know is if pubs are closed people will gather in homes or outside to drink, where there are no social distancing measures in place or the NHS track and trace system.

“As a result, we are calling on the Government for an evidence based, proportionate response that recognises pubs are a regulated and safe place for people to socialise in – part of the solution in managing COVID-19 and supporting jobs and the economy.

“If the Government is really going to press ahead with the introduction of further restrictions, it needs to ensure it puts forward an additional and adequate financial package of support for our sector.”

According to the Sun, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will work over the weekend to set up a “toolbox of different measures” to help those affected by the planned lockdown next week.

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