Penguins protest as Sealife London Aquarium closes after London enters Tier 3 restrictions

Penguins are in lockdown – but they’re unlikely to be a flight risk.

London entered Tier 3 on yesterday – and that meant Sealife London Aquarium had to close its doors.

But the boys and girls in the black and white suits protested the lack of a level playing field as other businesses such as non-essential retail can remain open.

Tourism and hospitality have been ordered to close, unlike shops, gyms and beauty services.

General manager at South Bank Attractions, Catherine Pritchard, said: “It is so disappointing to be forced to close our indoor attractions once again due to London moving into Tier 3.

“Whilst we are of course very much united in support of the national effort to tackle Covid-19, we do feel it is incredibly frustrating that there appears to be no level playing field when it comes to who can stay open and who can’t.

“We have very high safety procedures in place in line with Government guidelines including pre-booking, significantly reduced numbers of guests and numerous social distancing measures but have to close while non-essential retail can remain open.

“We definitely – as our penguins here at Sealife London Aquarium emphasise – feel very much left out in the cold by the Government.”

Pictured top: Penguins at the aquarium on the South Bank