London ‘at risk of tier 3’ as health boss urges people to stick to distancing rules

London could be slammed back into tier three restrictions as the fall on coronavirus cases appears to be slowing.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London’s director for Public Health England has issued a plea for people to follow social distancing and isolation rules as the capital goes into the first weekend since lockdown was lifted.

Professor Fenton spoke as official figures show the fall in London’s Covid-19 cases levelling off.

He told The Standard: “The promising reductions we had begun to see with the recent national restrictions across the capital have shown signs of slowing in recent days - a stark reminder of just how delicate our situation is.

“As we make plans to go out this weekend, whether it’s shopping, eating out or meeting with friends outside, it is vital we remain vigilant and keep in mind that the virus is still present.

“Our actions over this weekend and in the weeks ahead will make a big difference to our outlook over the festive period and into the New Year.”

Prof Fenton added: “We are continuing to see a mixed picture of cases across London’s boroughs, with much higher levels in the north east of the city.  

“However, even in those areas that have had the biggest declines, rates are still far too high.

A shopper wearing a face mask in Regent Street, London (PA)

The number of coronavirus cases outside hospitals in England dropped by 18% in one week during the second national lockdown, new official figures show.

There were 521,300 cases in the community in England in the week to November 28, down from 633,000 (a drop of almost 112,000)the week before, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

London’s seven-day infection rate is almost unchanged for the last four days, with latest data putting it at 155.8 new cases per 100,000 population in the week to November 28.

It was 154.3, 154.5 and 156.1 for the previous three days, having fallen at a significantly faster rate since mid-November.

The proportion of people testing positive for Covid-19 is estimated to have decreased in all regions of England except the North East, where rates appear to have levelled off, the ONS said.