PM Boris Johnson says British public's patience is 'paying off' and that the time bought to vaccinate means the next stage of relaxing the lockdown is confirmed to go ahead next Monday.
Johnson: we set out our roadmap and we're sticking to it. We see nothing in the present data that makes us think we will have to deviate from it. (That's full unlocking/back to normal by July, international travel pending).
Effects of vaccinations from first dose in UK:
Prof Whitty says while first dose is effective they're not completely effective so second dose is still vital.
Prof Whitty says while first dose is effective they're not completely effective so second dose is still vital.
The rate of deaths in the UK from COVID-19 is now dropping faster than it did after the first wave.
Average is now 47/day down from peak of 1300 per day in January.
Average is now 47/day down from peak of 1300 per day in January.
Around a year ago Jenny Harries said UK was effectively giving up on testing claiming it was no longer useful (in truth - no capacity.)
Now Britain's turned around its capacity to the point that everyone is being given access to 2 free rapid lateral flow tests per week.
Now Britain's turned around its capacity to the point that everyone is being given access to 2 free rapid lateral flow tests per week.
On vaccine passports, - PM Johnson says 'no question' of people being asked to produce a Covid-status report or certification when they go to the shops, pubs or salons on Monday and not planned either for May 17, when indoor hospo opens.
But he says international travel will require some level of Covid-certification and UK needs to consider this.
For mass events domestically, he says proof could involve/combine:
1. immunity - if infected in last 6 months
2. vaccination status
3. testing
For mass events domestically, he says proof could involve/combine:
1. immunity - if infected in last 6 months
2. vaccination status
3. testing
Johnson says there are "complicated ethical and practical issues raised by Covid-status certification" but obviously it's being considered as they trial mass events but he's emphasising the role of testing in holding these.
And on international travel, Johnson sounds most optimistic note yet saying 'we're hopeful' but cautions about travel in countries people will want to go pointing to large outbreaks.
The travel taskforce reports back next week but for now not enough data to know but will ...
The travel taskforce reports back next week but for now not enough data to know but will ...
...set out what govt thinks is reasonable well before May 17, until when international travel for leisure is forbidden.
- sounding very much like a tiered set of travel allowances.
- sounding very much like a tiered set of travel allowances.
Johnson says govt wants to see the country 'flying again.'
He thinks it will take time but London is going to bounce back because of the desire to quit Zoom and craving for human contact and that once the theatres are reopened etc the city will be coming back to life.
He thinks it will take time but London is going to bounce back because of the desire to quit Zoom and craving for human contact and that once the theatres are reopened etc the city will be coming back to life.
Unimaginable that last Dec Britain would have the certainty of the economy fully reopening by July.
Bravo for the vaccines and science.
Bravo for the vaccines and science.
There's going to be a sweet spot in the early summer, when, for a short time, everything will be open but the demand will be mostly local rather than tourists, meaning you'll actually be able to get into most restaurants/secure tix etc.
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