In reality, many may not necessarily be Londoners, they may well be northerners who reside there temporarily, that said, your last sentence (2 words) is correct. The Government have been totally naive at best though. I think the publics response was entirely predictable and should have been pre-empted. It lays down the groundwork to enable the Government to blame the public and dodge some of the blame. In truth, I’d sooner trust a chocolate fireguard to do its job properly. They needed to be draconian earlier in the week. They left the stable door ajar unfortunately.
Some families will live to regret this decision unfortunately and hospitals around the country will now be affected in all sorts of regrettable and unforeseen ways. Cancer treatment will be set back, operations put on hold, screening see longer waiting times as hospitals and their staff plan for covid increases that will inevitably follow. This madness is a long way from being done and some of the great British public do seem more bothered about Christmas dinner and a few after dinner mints, beers, wine and spirits than waiting a few more months till vaccinated.
Carry On Covid, Britains got your back!!