The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London has written a message that looks ahead to the coming year and how the City is ready to thrive as the pandemic begins to recede.
January is traditionally a time of year for resolutions and new beginnings, and I start this one with real hope that we are beginning to navigate our way through the Omicron surge which has so affected the country – and London in particular – over the last month.
The Government has indicated that further restrictions are unlikely in the near future and existing restrictions may soon be eased. Certainly the feedback from my business calls is that the majority of City firms anticipate a strong return to the workplace by staff when the working from home guidance is lifted.
We can also draw confidence from the knowledge that we begin this new year better prepared for the pandemic than was the case 12 months ago. We are now accustomed to mask wearing and regular testing, and the number of people getting their jabs continues to climb. Indeed, we had a pop-up vaccination centre outside Mansion House in the run up to Christmas, and further pop-up hubs will support the work of the Square Mile’s main vaccination centre at 120 Fleet Street.
Flexible working and new approaches to doing things are now a way of life for all of us and I was pleased to experience for myself the vitality of the Livery’s activities in the first weeks of my Mayoralty, before the Omicron variant reintroduced some caution in approach. I am optimistic that very soon we will see the City, and all its communities – workers, residents, the Livery family – return fully to the Square Mile and bring with them the energy and vibrancy which we value so much.
I know that the Lady Mayoress and I are much looking forward to getting out and about again after the Christmas break and seeing as many of you possible. So as we start another year both Amanda and I send our very best wishes to all in the Livery for a safe and successful 2022.
Vincent Keaveny, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London
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