Evening Standard Comment: London to the world – welcome back!

Tourism is coming back to the capital. The lifting of the final test and isolation requirements for vaccinated visitors last Friday has released pent up demand for people from around the world to visit London.

Foreign tourism is one of the final pieces of the puzzle when it comes to kickstarting the city’s recovery. Large parts of our economy rely on visitors, from hospitality to retail.

Moreover, the absence of high-spending visitors from abroad has damaged the capital’s luxury hotels and stores. That is now finally starting to change.

This summer is set to be more enticing than ever, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee — marking her 70 years on the throne — ushering in not only bank holidays but celebrations in London and around the country.

After what feels like a never-ending maze of complicated and ever-changing rules on coming to Britain, with traffic lights, testing and quarantines, now is, at last, the time when London can welcome the world once again. All we need is some sunny spring weather.

Speaking of which… for one day only, if you can, remain indoors as Storm Eunice batters London.

A rare red warning has been issued — the highest level — meaning there is a risk to life. So stay safe, do not take risks and avoid non-essential travel.