London, Nov 25 (IANS): UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, battling a coronavirus spike and Brexit negotiations, has taken time of his schedule to answer a eight-year-old boy's key query - has the government thought about Santa Claus's visits this Christmas?

In a hand-written letter to Johnson, Monti said he "was wondering if you and the government had thought about Santa coming this Christmas".

"If we leave hand sanitiser by the cookies can he come? Will he wash his hands," the anxious boy asked, adding, "I understand you are very busy but can you and the scientists please talk about this?"

In his reply, the Prime Minister, thanking Monti for his letter "which raises the very important question of whether Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year in spite of Covid", said: "I know millions of other children are asking the same thing. Just to make sure, 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 the other reindeer."

Johnson added that the Chief Medical Officer had asked him to tell Monti that "provided Father Christmas works in his usual responsible way, and works quickly and safely, there are no risks to your health and his".

He also said that leaving sanitiser with the cookies is an excellent idea, and that using it himself and regular hand-washing will get Monti and his friends on "the nice list".

The Prime Minister shared the exchange on his Twitter handle, adding photos of both the letters.

In a message for other kids, he said: "I've had lots of letters about this, so I have spoken with the experts and can assure you that Father Christmas will be packing his sleigh and delivering presents this Christmas!"