Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“The end of national lockdown today will be welcomed by Londoners all across our city. It is because of the monumental sacrifices of Londoners who have done exactly what’s been asked of them since the start of this pandemic that the number of COVID cases in London continues to fall, and people can now start seeing more of their friends and loved ones. As we head towards the new year, with the positive news about the vaccines on the way, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. 

“The end of national lockdown will undoubtedly be a major boost for London’s struggling shops and hospitality venues which were forced to close just as preparations for the Christmas period began. At this crucial time of the year I’m urging all Londoners to safely show their support for London’s high streets as we all make our decisions about where to shop this Christmas. They need our support more than ever.

“At the same time it is also absolutely vital that we continue to follow the rules – if we act like this virus has gone away we could see a devasting further surge in cases at a time of year when our NHS is already under enough pressure.

“So I’m appealing directly to Londoners today. You still mustn’t socialise with anyone indoors who you do not live with or who isn’t in your support bubble. If you’re in a shop you must wear a face covering and keep a two-metre distance wherever possible. Plan your journey ahead, so you can shop at quieter times, carry a hand sanitiser, and avoid travelling on public transport during rush hour.

“The number-one way to look out for our loved ones and friends and support local businesses remains ensuring we have this virus under control, and do all we can to avoid going back into tougher restrictions, later this month or any time in the future.”

Photo by Katy Blackwood, Wikimedia commons