Met urges Londoners to stay home this weekend ahead of new rules on Monday

From Monday, 8 March, restrictions will ease very slightly meaning that people can meet outside with one other person for recreation.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced a four step roadmap for easing of the England-wide coronavirus lockdown last month.

The first step will take place on Monday, with some small changes to the national lockdown restrictions which will include school children returning to classrooms and people being allowed to meet up with one other person outside.

While limited recreational activity is allowed, authorities have urged Londoners to continue to stay at home wherever possible.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors, the Met’s strategic lead for the Covid-19 response, said: “We are still not through the worst of this virus and we must all continue to play our part in driving down the infection rate.

“This weekend the rules have not changed and you must stay at home wherever possible.

“As the restrictions ease very slightly on Monday, we will be allowed to meet with one other person for recreation.

“This does not mean we can meet with multiple households, nor does it mean we can organise house parties or other large gatherings – these remain illegal and frankly, dangerous.

“This weekend, across London we will have a number of dedicated patrols to respond to reported breaches of the regulations.

“We will also work side by side our local authority partners, patrolling open spaces and reminding Londoners of the rules.

“But I want to be clear, where people have dangerously and blatantly broken the rules, we won’t hesitate to take action by issuing fixed penalty notices.”