Boris Johnson will hold a press conference at 7pm to outline his lockdown roadmap
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/…
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/…
Watch live here ⬇️
We are not expected to get any new information about the roadmap for easing lockdown because the Government has already published its plans, but Mr Johnson will take questions from the media and the public in the normal way
Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that this will be the last, "irreversible" lockdown.
Do you think that is true? 🚫
Do you think that is true? 🚫
"There is light ahead, leading us to the spring and summer, which I think will be seasons of hope" - Boris Johnson 
Boris Johnson says 17.7 million people have now been vaccinated.
He says the Government's vaccination programme has "dramatically shifted the odds in our favour" and acts as a "shield" around the population
He says the Government's vaccination programme has "dramatically shifted the odds in our favour" and acts as a "shield" around the population
Prof Chris Whitty says the number of people who are testing positive, being hospitalised and are dying with Covid-19 is high but falling.
The improvement in numbers is due to people following the 'stay home' guidance.
The rollout of the vaccine has been "extraordinary," he says
The improvement in numbers is due to people following the 'stay home' guidance.
The rollout of the vaccine has been "extraordinary," he says
The Government is now vaccinating the over-50s, which will lead to a "significant further reduction" in deaths and hospitalisations, Whitty says.
He adds, 42% of people hospitalised with Covid-19 are under the age of 65
He adds, 42% of people hospitalised with Covid-19 are under the age of 65
Prof Whitty gives the latest evidence on vaccination effectiveness ⬇️
Prof Whitty says for each step to ease lockdown, the Government takes a risk.
There is a four-week lag between reducing lockdown measures and seeing its effect in data.
"This is not the end, but this is the point where we can have a steady, risk-based, data-driven, opening up"
There is a four-week lag between reducing lockdown measures and seeing its effect in data.
"This is not the end, but this is the point where we can have a steady, risk-based, data-driven, opening up"
The PM is asked whether the UK will commit to giving vaccines to the @WHO's Covax programme once the top nine priority groups have been vaccinated.
He says it is important that the vaccine is rolled out globally and adds the UK has already contributed substantially to Covax
He says it is important that the vaccine is rolled out globally and adds the UK has already contributed substantially to Covax
Laura Kuenssberg from the BBC asks the scientists how many more deaths will be recorded as a result of the UK easing lockdown.
Prof Whitty says he has always been careful not to put death estimates in the public domain because they are not "helpful"
Prof Whitty says he has always been careful not to put death estimates in the public domain because they are not "helpful"
Robert Peston asks why there is no reference to the R-rate in the Government's four tests.
Prof Whitty says "The vaccine takes a lot of the heavy lifting on this...our expectation is that it will pull the R down. The tight linkage between R and deaths is less tight than it was"
Prof Whitty says "The vaccine takes a lot of the heavy lifting on this...our expectation is that it will pull the R down. The tight linkage between R and deaths is less tight than it was"
He then asks the PM why he is now considering vaccine passports.
Mr Johnson says other countries will insist on vaccine passports for international travel.
Domestically, he adds there are "ethical issues" to consider, including whether they have a discriminatory effect
Mr Johnson says other countries will insist on vaccine passports for international travel.
Domestically, he adds there are "ethical issues" to consider, including whether they have a discriminatory effect
Sam Coates asks the PM whether he will resign if there is a fourth lockdown.
Mr Johnson says he cannot promise that there will not be another lockdown, but that is the Government's "intention"
Conspicuously there is no answer on the resignation question...
Mr Johnson says he cannot promise that there will not be another lockdown, but that is the Government's "intention"
Conspicuously there is no answer on the resignation question...
Do you think Boris Johnson should resign if there is a fourth lockdown? 🇬🇧
Sir Patrick Vallance says "certain things may be necessary" next winter, to prevent another spike.
He says mask wearing may be necessary in certain circumstances, people should keep washing their hands and the Government should keep running the test, trace and isolate system
He says mask wearing may be necessary in certain circumstances, people should keep washing their hands and the Government should keep running the test, trace and isolate system
Sir Patrick Vallance says ventilation, mask wearing and hand hygiene will be important to control the virus in schools.
The masks will be reviewed after four weeks of pupils being back in the classroom to see what effect they have had on transmission, he says
The masks will be reviewed after four weeks of pupils being back in the classroom to see what effect they have had on transmission, he says
Prof Chris Whitty says the case for the vaccine being effective is getting "stronger and stronger". People in care settings are "really keen" to get the jab, he says.
For medical staff, it is a "professional responsibility" for them to have the jab to protect patients, he adds
For medical staff, it is a "professional responsibility" for them to have the jab to protect patients, he adds
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
