An eight-year-old who wrote to Boris Johnson asking if Santa will still be coming this year told of his surprise when the Prime Minister replied.
Monti told BBC Breakfast that he had written to the Prime Minister after he heard that the pandemic might last until Christmas.
“In June I heard that the pandemic might go on for a long time, and it could reach up to Christmas,” he said.
"And then I thought, you know, how Santa keeps the Christmas spirit alive. If no one's happy then no one will be happy and that wouldn't be good."
Asked if he thought the Prime Minister would reply to his letter Monti said: "Not really, because he's a busy man".
In his letter, Monti suggested leaving out hand sanitiser for Santa.
“Dear Mr Johnson, I am 8 years old and I was wondering if you and the government had thought about Santa coming this Christmas,” wrote Monti.
“If we leave hand sanitiser by the cookies can he come? Or will he wash his hands? I understand you are very busy but can you and the scientists please talk about this.”
Mr Johnson shared his letter of reply on Twitter, adding that he had received “lots of letters about this” and had consulted with experts about the issue.
“I have put in a call to the North Pole and I can tell you Father Christmas is ready and raring to go, as are Rudolph and all of the other reindeer,” wrote the Prime Minister.
“The Chief Medical Officer has asked me to tell you that, provided Father Christmas behaves in his usual responsible way and works quickly and safely, there are no risks to your health or his.”
Mr Johnson also praised Monti’s idea to put hand sanitiser next to any treats left for Father Christmas.
“Using it yourself, and washing your hands regularly, is exactly the kind of thing that will get you and your friends on the nice list,” he wrote.
