Boris Johnson has called upon the British public to “maintain the basic disciplines that have got us through thus far,” following his announcement to end the national lockdown on December 2.  

The Prime Minister confirmed the national lockdown will be ending and that tiers will be coming back, with many areas expected to be in higher tiers than they were before.  

Mr Johnson appeared alongside Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Whitty on Monday night in a press conference aired on BBC television where he thanked the nation for their efforts in helping to get the R rate down.  

Today he appeared via a video message on Twitter to play down the initial success of the Oxford vaccine and warned of a “difficult winter ahead.” 

He said: “The problem is not a shortage of hope or a lack of optimism, not with the amazing news that we are getting from the laboratories in this country. 

“The challenge now as we face this difficult winter ahead is to fight down any over optimism, to master any tendency to premature celebration of success. 

That success will come all the more faster if we work together to follow the guidance, maintain the basic disciplines as people have done so heroically over the last few months. 

“Hands, face, get a test if you have symptoms because that is the way we will beat this virus together.”