With Covid-19 case rates in London still high and hospitals throughout the capital caring for more than 4,000 patients who are seriously ill with the virus, London boroughs are asking every Londoner to keep London safe by continuing to follow public health advice, testing regularly and getting vaccinated.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, London Councils Executive Member for Health and Care, said: “I am proud of the way Londoners have pulled together to face the Omicron variant, but we need to push through pandemic fatigue and keep going.

“A slight fall in case rates in recent weeks might seem like the good news we’re all hoping for, but public health experts are telling us not to be complacent as we are yet to see the impact of the New Year socialising and schools reopening, which are very likely to have increased transmission.  

“I cannot stress enough how crucial the vaccination programme is in protecting yourself from Covid-19.  London boroughs will continue to use their local knowledge, resources and community relationships to support the NHS in getting all Londoners vaccinated.

“Boroughs will continue to support our communities, businesses and key services in every way we can, but all Londoners have a part to play in reducing transmission of the virus. Whether it’s testing twice a week, washing your hands regularly, or business owners keeping staff and customers safe, every effort to protect yourself and others is vital.”

London Councils has welcomed the government’s proposals to help fix the cladding crisis.

On Monday, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove wrote to the residential property developer industry giving them a deadline of early March to agree a fully funded plan of action, including remediating unsafe cladding on 11-18 metre buildings, currently estimated to be £4 billion.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Planning, said: “We’re pleased to see the government taking these steps to fix the cladding crisis, which has dragged on for far too long.

“This year will mark the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire and no one should still be living in a building with dangerous cladding. Every Londoner must be safe – and feel safe – in their home, yet many are living in a nightmarish limbo while arguments rage over how remediation works will be paid for.

“Boroughs agree that the residential property industry should make a greater financial contribution towards the cost of removing unsafe materials from London’s buildings. Ministers now need to keep up the momentum and make sure the industry delivers on these fair and much-needed commitments for improving building safety, as well as working with councils on delivering stronger local powers for enforcing fire safety measures.”

Even if you've been exposed to Covid-19 before, it is important that you complete your vaccination course to protect yourself and others. You can listen to Public Health Regional Director for London Professor Kevin Fenton explain why on BBC Radio 4's Today programme