The Prime Minister will hold a press conference this afternoon (July 12) where he will discuss the next step in lifting coronavirus restrictions in England.
Boris Johnson said the country is “incredibly close” to lifting any remaining restrictions and taking the final step in the government’s roadmap to come out of lockdown.
At today’s conference, he is expected to say that the country can move to step 4 of the plan to lift the measures, including ending the legal obligation to wear masks.
But it will also warn that cases will increase as the rules designed to suppress the coronavirus are removed.
Mr Johnson will hold a press conference on Monday afternoon while Health Secretary Sajid Javid announces the plans to Parliament.
(PA Graphics)
Downing Street said the unlock would be based on four tests – the successful deployment of the vaccine, proof that the vaccine causes reduced hospitalizations and deaths, that infection rates are not at risk of increased admissions, and that no new variant of worry derails progress.
The Prime Minister said: “We are very close to the last step of our roadmap to get out of lockdown, but the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning.
“While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalizations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not yet over.
“Cases will increase as we unlock, as we confirm our plans today our message will be clear. Caution is absolutely vital and we all need to take responsibility not to undo our progress, making sure we continue to protect our NHS. ”
As of 9 a.m. on Sunday, there had been 31,772 more laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the government said.
On Saturday, 26 more people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK total to 128,425.
Separate figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that there have been 153,000 registered deaths in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Going to stage 4 was delayed for four weeks to ensure that all adults had received a vaccine.
Government data up to July 10 shows that of the 80,646,232 Covid injections in the UK so far, 45,881,721 were first doses, an increase of 93,763 the day before.
Some 34,764,511 were second doses, an increase of 211,446.
Analysis from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge suggests that vaccines have so far prevented an estimated 8.5 million infections and 30,000 deaths in England alone.
The next step in lifting the measures is seen as a further step towards normality and the end of the pandemic.
The Euro final at Wembley on Sunday was one of the government’s test events for the return to mass rallies, with over 60,000 fans packing the stadium for a game against Italy which England lost to shoot to the net.
All participants had to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test or a full vaccination 14 days before the match.
However, some fans without tickets managed to breach security to enter the stadium.
England manager Gareth Southgate consoles players (Mike Egerton / PA)
A number of these events took place during the delay in lifting measures to monitor Covid-19 infection rates.
Downing Street also said the delay meant the end of restrictions was closer to school holidays, where transmission rates are expected to be lower.
On the flip side, reopening later in the year could put more pressure on the NHS as the health service grapples with other illnesses such as the flu.
Meanwhile, Scotland has “passed the worst” of the current peak in coronavirus cases, the country’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told The Andrew Marr Show on the BBC on Sunday: “One of the things we have done, obviously we have the vaccination program, but we are already planning… the NHS is planning to co – administration of the Covid boost from the beginning of September, with the flu, because we had very little flu circulating in the communities because of the confinement. ”
What else should Boris Johnson announce?
In addition to ending the legal requirement to wear masks, the PM is also expected to take stock of businesses, activities and social distancing.
All businesses can reopen
The PM is expected to announce that all businesses, including nightclubs, will be allowed to reopen.
Social contact limits removed
Legal limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings could be removed.
Currently, only indoor gatherings of six people and outdoor gatherings of 30 people are permitted.
The rule of social distancing of one meter and more could also be removed.
Back to work
After months of working from home, Boris is expected to announce that workers can return to the office …
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-12 08:56:53
