Well bring you more on that in the governments Coronavirus Briefing, today led by Prime Minister borisjohnson, englands Chief Medical Officer chris whitty and the governments Chief Scientific Adviser sir patrick vallance. And well be looking at current restrictions in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland and whats planned next wales and Northern Ireland for Easing Restrictions for People Living in those areas. The uks covid alert level has been lowered from four to three, which means the virus is no longer spreading exponentially. In the next half an hour, the Prime Minister is due to hold a briefing from Downing Street and hes expected to announce a major easing of restrictions in england. That will mean, from next monday, six people or two households can meet indoors, while groups of up to 30 can meet outdoors. Pubs and restaurants would be able to reopen indoors, and at last people could Hug Friends And Family outside their households. Our Health Correspondent Catherine Burns reports. You have got to do two verses. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you since the pandemic began weve had to learn to do everyday things differently. This started with hand washing. Right, there we go. Then we have to get used to wearing facemasks. Now it looks like we might have to rethink how to do something else. Hugging. We expect the Prime Minister later to give us the go ahead to Hug Friends And Family from next week, sort of. Careful cuddling, if you will. Keeping them short and selective, not hugging lots of people, and avoiding face to face contact. Just a proper hug. Not, i couldnt, its not a hug. A hug is a hug. Its not a push them away sort of thing. It is not natural for us to be so separate. We are, like, are social creatures. We need that interaction. Ive been hugging Family Members but other than that i havent missed hugging. Missed hugging anyone else. I do love to give my Friends And Family lots of hugs, especially as you dont know how long theyre going to be here for so. Today the Chief Medical Officers across the uk have agreed to lower the covid alert level from four to three. This means that case numbers, people in hospital and deaths have all fallen consistently, but covid is still spreading with people catching it every day. We have really high levels of vaccination, but the vaccines are not 100 protective, so, we need to be a little bit careful, but i think it is a good step in the right direction. If we look at the figures, the number of people getting infected, the number of people going into hospital, are at really low levels, back to where we were in august, pretty much the lowest time at any point in the pandemic. The government promised to follow the data. With more than 50 million doses of the vaccine given so far, and just one in 1100 people infected with coronavirus, it seems that there is no reason not to ease restrictions again in england from next monday. We still need to be cautious. We are incredibly aware that everybody wants to get together, that people want to hug each other, that people want to entertain in their own house. We all want to do that. And we understand that. And that is why we have a road map. Once it is confirmed, in england from next monday, Social Contact Rules will be lifted outdoors. Six people, or two households, can meet up inside, and indoor hospitality and hotels can open again. This step along the road map was always going to be a big one. Right now, if you want to go to a pub or restaurant in england, you better bring a coat. This will bring our social lives indoors, and, with hugging, bring us into closer contact. These are two things that help the virus to spread. Wales and scotland are also expected to open up more next week, with Northern Ireland following the week after. Catherine burns, bbc news. And the latest government figures show there were 2,357 new covid infections in the past 2a hours, with four more deaths recorded. More than 35,470,000 people have now had their first dose of a vaccine, with more than 17. 5 Million People having had both jabs, meaning over a third of all adults are now fully vaccinated. With me now is our Health Correspondent, nick triggle. First of awe, that sort of date is the kind of date tae the Prime Minister wants to hear ahead of what is expected to be this announcement easing the lockdown further. Easing the lockdown further. Indeed it is incredibly easing the lockdown further. Indeed it is incredibly positive, easing the lockdown further. Indeed it is incredibly positive, data, easing the lockdown further. Indeed it is incredibly positive, data, i it is incredibly positive, data, i dont think anyone expected it to be quite in such a good position as we are now, as the Prime Minister prepares to announce step three of the road map will go ahead. We have had the easing of restrictions in march, and april and there was some concerns that could push Infection Levels up a little. As it is they have come down over the past two month, if we look at the number of new cases reported today 2,357 at the start of the year we were seeing nearly 60,000 cases a day. There are 759 people in hospital with covid, again, mid january, there were nearly 40,000, so thatjust again, mid january, there were nearly 40,000, so that just shows the progress that has been made and really the move to the next step of the road map, there is no questions it will happen, it has been clear for the past week or that the data has been good enough to allow the less restriction to ease. fine has been good enough to allow the less restriction to ease. Less restriction to ease. One other bit of good less restriction to ease. One other bit of good news, less restriction to ease. One other bit of good news, is less restriction to ease. One other bit of good news, is the less restriction to ease. One other bit of good news, is the covid less restriction to ease. One other| bit of good news, is the covid alert level belowing from four to three. What does it mean to go from four to three . It what does it mean to go from four to three . ,. , what does it mean to go from four to three . ,. ,. ,. , three . It is easy to forget this alert level three . It is easy to forget this alert level is three . It is easy to forget this alert level is in three . It is easy to forget this alert level is in place, three . It is easy to forget this alert level is in place, some. Three . It is easy to forget this alert level is in place, some time, so, three means it is still the requires is still in general circulation buzz it is no longer rising quickly, or at a high level. The uk was put into alert level five at the start of january, when the nation went into lockdown, and that is because there was a real risk to the nhs was going to be overwhelmed. It came down to four in late february, but you have to go back to september the last time we were at alert level three. Help . September the last time we were at alert level three. Alert level three. New data on the effectiveness alert level three. New data on the effectiveness of alert level three. New data on the effectiveness of the alert level three. New data on the effectiveness of the vaccine, alert level three. New data on the effectiveness of the vaccine, Tell I Effectiveness of the vaccine, tell us more about that . Effectiveness of the vaccine, tell us more about that . Well, very, very aood us more about that . Well, very, very good data. Us more about that . Well, very, very good data. Each us more about that . Well, very, very good data, each week us more about that . Well, very, very good data, each week we us more about that . Well, very, very good data, each week we keep us more about that . Well, very, very. Good data, each week we keep getting results from research into how well these vaccines are working, this is from pepping land, looking at the impact in terms of reducing pepping land. Reducing deaths for two vaccines, a single dose of astrazeneca lowers the chances of death by 80 compared to unvaccinated individuals and that matches the results from pfizer, Pfizer Vaccine, that were released several weeks ago, but the Public Health england have also been able to measure the impact of the second dose of pfizer the Pfizer Vaccine started being rolled out sooner than the astrazeneca vaccine and that shows after two doses, it reduces the risks of death by 97 , so these are incredibly effective vaccine, they are working possibly as well as we could have expected. And this is bodes really well, because the lockdown has been key to getting Infection Levels down, but it is the vaccines that will be responsible for keeping them there, now we are Lifting Restrictions and especially allowing indoor mixing, in england from next week. {lift allowing indoor mixing, in england from next week. Allowing indoor mixing, in england from next week. Of course there will be some who from next week. Of course there will be some who will from next week. Of course there will be some who will say from next week. Of course there will be some who will say given from next week. Of course there will be some who will say given all from next week. Of course there will be some who will say given all that l be some who will say given all that positive data, maybe the government and borisjohnson should be Easing Restrictions further and faster, particularly thatjune 21st staging point, maybe bring that forward a little bit. ~ ~ point, maybe bring that forward a little bit. ~ ~ , little bit. Well, i think this is the chief little bit. Well, i think this is the chief medical little bit. Well, i think this is the Chief Medical Officer little bit. Well, i think this is the Chief Medical Officer professor chris whitty has been clear, you need a five week window to see the impact of each lifting of restriction, and it is important to remember this step three, which does allow indoor mixing was considered to be the biggest test in terms of would it result in higher inif ebbing husband is levels because the veers can pass much more easily indoors and that it can outdoors. Infection levels. We will hear them stressing we should be cautious, there is lots to be optimistic about in the data and is vaccine roll out but we must be cautious. Roll out but we must be cautious. Lets speak now to professor stephen reicher, member of the Sage Subcommittee advising on behavioural science. He is a professor of psychology at the University Of St Andrews and a fellow of the Royal Society of edinburgh, and is a member of independent sage. Thank you very much indeed for being with us. Can i ask you, we are expecting to hear from the Prime Minister, that he is going to as planned ease the lockdown in england on may 1th, a week today. Would you concur with that, is that the right strategy . Concur with that, is that the right strate . ~ ~ ,. , strategy . Well, i think it is fair to say they strategy . Well, i think it is fair to say they the strategy . Well, i think it is fair to say they the Data Strategy . Well, i think it is fair to say they the data is strategy . Well, i think it is fair to say they the data is looking | to say they the data is looking good, domestically, we have to remember that initially, actually the picture is the opposite, it is looking grim, that the numbers of cases every week now are the same as in the first five months of the pandemic and large number of people are getting ineffecteded and large numbers are dying and if it is out there round the world it will come here at some point so it is in our interest morally and if you like in terms of our own Self Interest to make sure that doesnt happen, and i would say lets not forget the global situation, and i think one of the most important things we should be doing and talking about, is lifting the patents, waving patent rights, so that the vaccine can be rolled out initially, can be produced initially so everybody gets in the same situation as ourselves, so let us not forget the rest of the world. ~ ,. , so let us not forget the rest of the world. ~ i. So let us not forget the rest of the world. ~ � ,. ,. , world. When you say lets not forget the rest of the world. When you say lets not forget the rest of the world. World. When you say lets not forget the rest of the world. Ment world. When you say lets not forget the rest of the world. Ment say world. When you say lets not forget the rest of the world. Ment say we l the rest of the world. Ment say we should be giving some of our vaccines to other countries. In the shortterm vaccines to other countries. In the shortterm we vaccines to other countries. In the shortterm we should vaccines to other countries. In the shortterm we should be short term we should be redistributing some of the vaccine to other countries where they desperately need it. Secondly as i say we should be lifting the patents so they can produce it themselves, and that is not being allowed. In fact the yuck is one of the few countries in the world that is blocking that, the pope has said lets lift the pay tent, joe biden has said lift the patent, bill gates has said lift the patent, bill gates has changed his mind and said lets lift the patents for. Boris johnson is still blocking it, so both, as i say in terms of the morality of the issue, but also in terms of the Self Interest of the issue, lets make sure that vaccines can be produced round the world and with more vaccine, they can be be rolled out to more people more quickly. When you say redistribute our vaccines, to the rest of the world, some will say that is fine but can we look at ousts first, let us make sure we get the whole uk Adult Population vaccinated before we start giving anything away, what do you say to that . We start giving anything away, what do you say to that . You say to that . We have ordered many more you say to that . We have ordered many more vaccines you say to that . We have ordered many more vaccines that you say to that . We have ordered many more vaccines that we you say to that . We have orderedl many more vaccines that we need, probably three times as many as we need, so we can redistribute those without having any impact on the roll out domestically at all, i think that is. We will need the boost ervaccination later in year. Yes, but at the same time and we are already seeing other variants coming here, so the so called Indian Variant, the b1167 variant is round the country, it is growing very fast, it is doubling every week, its, we are seeing outbreaks in schools as well, so the issue of variants coming here, is not a theoretical issue, it is an issue for the present, but i dont want to be too negative, of course we should be too negative, of course we should be positive about what is happening here, but we should care about the rest of the world, and we should be just a little bit cautious, and we do need to look very very carefully, about how these new variants are developing. We cant throw open all the doors quite yet, even if we can precede cautiously looking at the data and making sure it is tav to unroll the roald roll out. Unroll the roald roll out. Some eole unroll the roald roll out. Some people will unroll the roald roll out. Some people will say unroll the roald roll out. Some people will say yes, unroll the roald roll out. Some people will say yes, we unroll the roald roll out. Some people will say yes, we need. Unroll the roald roll out. Some| people will say yes, we need to unroll the roald roll out. Some. People will say yes, we need to be cautious, others will say, actually, we are being too cautious, why dont we are being too cautious, why dont we open up a bit quicker, look at the data forfour deaths we open up a bit quicker, look at the data for four deaths very recorded in the last 24 hours. It is lookin recorded in the last 24 hours. It is looking good recorded in the last 24 hours. It is looking good at recorded in the last 24 hours. It 3 looking good at the moment but remember we havent opened up indoors yet and we know that indoors is the big issue, we know Something Like 97 of the outbreaks come from indoor event, so we need to carefully monitor what is going to happen, and we still need to keep ourselves safe, to be sensible, to be responsible, because all the modelling shows if people do simply throw cause sugars to the wind, there is a possibility of many, many more deaths and a third wave later in the year, so it is looking good, i think we need to balance message, we sometimes hear people saying it is wonderful, Forget Restrick Husband Ises and some are saying it is up a pauling we cant do anything. The story is one of cautious optimism. It has served us well, the process of going slowly, looking at the effects before you take further measure, has, is what has got us to this state. If we forget it now, when we throw caution to the winds we can lose all the gains we have made. You to the winds we can lose all the gains we have made. To the winds we can lose all the gains we have made. You are worried about indoor gains we have made. You are worried about indoor mixing, gains we have made. You are worried about indoor mixing, for gains we have made. You are worried about indoor mixing, for example gains we have made. You are worried about indoor mixing, for example the Prime Minister is likely to announce a few minutes time, for example pubs and restaurants can open for indoor hospitality, are you happy with that going ahead . I think certainly, at the moment, we can go ahead with that. I think the data is pretty clear, although we need to be clear about the fact that, when we talk about the data, it is notjust about that, when we talk about the data, it is not just about vaccinations, it is not just about vaccinations, it has also got to be about levels of infections so we need to carefully monitor what the effects of new variants is, but, for now, i think it is fair to say the indicators suggest we can go ahead with what we said we were going to do before, we can keep on track with the road map. find do before, we can keep on track with the road map the road map. And in terms of vaccinations, the road map. And in terms of vaccinations, are the road map. And in terms of vaccinations, are you the road map. And in terms of. Vaccinations, are you surprised. The road map. And in terms of vaccinations, are you surprised. I mean, the roll out has been extraordinary, by The Scientists creating the vaccines, the nhs distributing them, but also by the uptake of the vaccine in this country. We know in other countries, there is a lot of Vaccine Hesitancy but, in this country, people seem to have been really keen, on the whole, to have their vaccines. It have been really keen, on the whole, to have their vaccines. To have their vaccines. It has been tood and to have their vaccines. It has been good and i to have their vaccines. It has been good and i think to have their vaccines. It has been good and i think we to have their vaccines. It has been good and i think we should to have their vaccines. It has been good and i think we should be good and i think we should be pleased. At the same time, again, we need to be cautious. There are communities where there is lower uptake, the more deprived communities, there is a lower uptake, ethnic minorities, there is a lower uptake and, whats more, the discrepancies get greater as you go into the younger age groups, so we need to keep an eye on that, we need to engage with communities, we need to engage with communities, we need to persuade them why the vaccine is good for them. The last thing we want is to create a divided society whereby there are large parts of the country where people are vaccinated and things are going well, but pockets where there is still lower uptake and where outbreaks of infection come. We need to get through this as a community altogether and weve got to deal with those issues of inequality in terms of Vaccine Uptake very seriously indeed. Terms of Vaccine Uptake very seriousl indeed. , seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank you seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank you so seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank you so much seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank you so much for seriously indeed. Professor stephen reicher, thank you so much for your time, thanks for being with us on bbc news this afternoon. Its notjust in england that restrictions look set to ease. The devolved governments in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland have their own road maps out of lockdown. In a minute, well hear from our wales correspondent Hywel Griffith in cardiff, and our ireland correspondent emma vardy in belfast. But, first, to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon, whos in glasgow. I think youve got some Breaking News for us from glasgow. Yes. I think youve got some Breaking News for us from glasgow. Yes, the bbc understands news for us from glasgow. Yes, the bbc understands people news for us from glasgow. Yes, the bbc understands people in news for us from glasgow. Yes, the bbc understands people in scotland will be able to travel to some International Destinations without having to quarantine on their return. The move will be part of the Traffic Light System that is similar to that in england and it will come into effect on the 24th of may. Nicola sturgeon is expected to give more details of further easing of coronavirus restrictions here in scotland tomorrow. Those are expected to come into effect next monday, i think we will see changes then perhaps to the number of people who can meet in certain environments. Key to that is the fact that four adults from two households will be able to meet in private homes again for the first time and stay overnight as well, that will be very welcome news to a lot of people. There will probably also be changes to the restrictions around hospitality, including the resumption of selling of alcohol indoors because, remember, of course, pubs and cafes and restaurants reopen here in scotland a couple of weeks ago but the restrictions they have are expected to be eased next monday as well. These are expected to be almost scotland wide. 0ne these are expected to be almost scotland wide. One area of the country, however, that is still experiencing sustained Community Transmission is moray in the north of scotland, the covid rates are seen at being seen there are around four times the rest of scotland and measures are being taken to curb the spread of the virus, including offering the vaccine to 18 to 39 year olds ahead of the rest of the country, but it is expected that moray wont follow the rest of scotland in seeing an easing of restrictions. That is scotland. What about in wales . Hywel griffith is in cardiff. Griffith is in cardiff. Thank you very much griffith is in cardiff. Thank you very much. The griffith is in cardiff. Thank you very much. The welsh griffith is in cardiff. Thank you very much. The welsh labour| very much. The welsh Labour Government, fresh from election success government, fresh from election success last week, has been meeting this afternoon to discuss the latest stage this afternoon to discuss the latest stage of this afternoon to discuss the latest stage of unlocking restrictions here stage of unlocking restrictions here at stage of unlocking restrictions here. At the moment, two households in wales here. At the moment, two households in wales can here. At the moment, two households in wales can meet indoors and up to six people in wales can meet indoors and up to six people from six households can meet six people from six households can meet outdoors. The Welsh Government, before meet outdoors. The Welsh Government, before the meet outdoors. The Welsh Government, before the election, signalled it wanted before the election, signalled it wanted to reopen indoor hospitality from next wanted to reopen indoor hospitality from next monday, the same as england. From next monday, the same as england, but lots of pubs and bars and restaurants asking what kind of bookings and restaurants asking what kind of bookings they can take from next monday . Bookings they can take from next monday . Can they allow six people from six monday . Can they allow six people from six households indoors or, as in the from six households indoors or, as in the autumn, a rule of four . Another in the autumn, a rule of four . Another thing we understand discuss today in another thing we understand discuss today in the Cabinet Meeting is foreign today in the Cabinet Meeting is Foreign Travel, as in scotland. We dont Foreign Travel, as in scotland. We dont know Foreign Travel, as in scotland. We dont know yet whether wales will adopt dont know yet whether wales will adopt the dont know yet whether wales will adopt the same Traffic Light System and whether it will give the same green and whether it will give the same green light to the list of countries. And then we come to the question countries. And then we come to the question of countries. And then we come to the question of the hug, much trialled in england question of the hug, much trialled in england about being unable to hug people in england about being unable to hug people within a household, will welsh people within a household, will welsh people be able to embrace people welsh people be able to embrace people they know again . We know the cabinet people they know again . We know the cabinet will meet once again later this week cabinet will meet once again later this week before the results are revealed this week before the results are revealed. That is the news from the slightly revealed. 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Ferry operator is pressuring the government Ferry Operator is pressuring the government saying Ferry Operator is pressuring the government saying we Ferry Operator is pressuring the government saying we need i Ferry Operator is pressuring thel government saying we need the Ferry Operator is pressuring the government saying we need the rule is the government saying we need the rule is the same government saying we need the rule is the same in government saying we need the rule is the same in both government saying we need the rule is the same in both directions government saying we need the rule is the same in both directions and i is the same in both directions and we expect is the same in both directions and we expect to is the same in both directions and we expect to see is the same in both directions and we expect to see the is the same in both directions and we expect to see the northern we expect to see the Northern Ireland we expect to see the Northern Ireland health we expect to see the Northern Ireland Health Minister we expect to see the northern. Ireland Health Minister discussion et Ireland Health minister discussion get with Ireland Health minister discussion get with the Ireland Health minister discussion get with the Northern Ireland Health Minister discussion get with the Northern Irish get with the Northern Irish government get with the Northern Irish government soon. Get with the Northern Irish government soon. Get with the Northern Irish government soon. Get with the Northern Irish covernment soon. ,. ,. , ~ government soon. Emma vardy, thank ou, in government soon. Emma vardy, thank you. In iztelfast government soon. Emma vardy, thank you, in belfast and government soon. Emma vardy, thank you, in belfast and thanks government soon. Emma vardy, thank you, in belfast and thanks to government soon. Emma vardy, thank you, in belfast and thanks to hywel. You, in belfast and thanks to Hywel Griffith in cardiff and lorna gordon in glasgow. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing pressure to impose a strict nationwide lockdown, as the country continues to battle a surge in new infections. Officials in delhi have announced theyre extending the citys lockdown for a fourth week. Today, the head of the World Health Organization announced the launch of a together for india appeal, which aims to provide additional oxygen, medicines and protective equipment for the country which has faced shortages. Professor Ravindra Gupta is a professor of clinical microbiology from the university of cambridge, and he explained the problems facing india from new coronavirus variants. Vaccines protect against illness and death but they dont prevent you being infected, and i think this, the b1. 617, is not as. Doesnt escape antibodies as much as the south african variant, but still has the components of that, so its kind of halfway, you might say, between what we had initially and the south african variants. So it is something to notice, be relatively concerned about, because we need to stop it transmitting and evolving further, if possible and, of course, to prevent transmission in the community, which has been triggered largely by social contact being unrestricted over the last few months. There are local lockdowns in place. I think a National Lockdown needs to be seriously considered, because the country needs to recover in terms of its Oxygen Supplies and its medical care facilities, because the number of cases and severe cases is not going to diminish at a fast enough rate and may lead to social unrest and other potential consequences, unless we can bring the cases down faster. The International Olympic committee Chief Thomas Bach has been forced to postpone a visit to japan, as virus cases surge less than three months before the tokyo games. The japanese government and ioc are still insisting the games can go ahead safely this summer, although polls show most japanese people support cancellation or another delay. Just to remind you, we have a News Conference coming up very shortly with the Prime Minister in Downing Street and also with englands Chief Medical Officer, chris whitty and the government Chief Scientific Adviser sir patrick vallance, those very familiar faces, adviser sir patrick vallance, those very familiarfaces, they adviser sir patrick vallance, those very familiar faces, they will be talking to us, it is expected they are going to announce that lockdown in england can be further eased from next monday, may the 17th, so lets speak to our Political Correspondent helen at westminster. And all of the data, including the latest data we have been reporting today, would indicate the government is set to confirm that the easing can go ahead. ,. , confirm that the easing can go ahead. ,. , ,. , ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for the last week ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for the last week or ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for the last week or so ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for the last week or so have ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for the last week or so have been ahead. Yes, certainly the signs for| the last week or so have been from government that the data was looking good for this step to go ahead from next week and, at each stage, the government has said it would announce a week in advance if the next phase in the road map was going to be moved. So we are now looking at step three starting next monday in england, that is of course a much wider opening so you will have people allowed in your house again, groups of up to six people indoors or two households and, outdoors, up to 30 people can meet and we will see the opening of indoor hospitality, pubs and restaurants, again subject to the rules of six or two households, but that is quite a big change to where we have been before. Of course, the government has always said it will follow data, not dates, on this but it will be pretty pleased that, so far, it has managed to meet each one of those earliest possible dates and they have agreed that the data looks good enough to do that. The other thing we are expecting we will hear this afternoon is the change in the advice on the guidance on physical contact, hugging up those you dont live with and the expectation is that the Prime Minister will say, actually, it is now going to be up to people � s individualjudgments whether they want to hug they dont live with, Friends And Family but the measures will be be a bit cautious about it, but the idea in whitehall is there is still a bit of a risk in the phrase was they dont want people to get carried away. The Prime Minister is always pulled in Different Directions on these restrictions, some saying dont be so cautious, others saying be more cautious, but there will be voices, given the latest data, for example suggesting four deaths in the last 24 hours, may be saying speed are holding up a bit and why do we have to until may the 17th after may to until may the 17th after may to 17th Untiljune A first for the next stage of Easing Lockdown . That next stage of Easing Lockdown . Git each stage, we hear similar arguments. Because the data has been good and each one has moved in the right direction and we are seeing numbers come down and, today, of course, the coronavirus alert level is being reduced and it does increase calls for people to say, hang on, why are we keeping these restrictions in place, if it is all looking good, why can we not move faster if the data looks better than we thought . The governments line has consistently been that they have built in this five week period of steps between Road Map Stages to check the data and have space in between before they move on to the next phase, so in each one of these so far, they have resisted moving on the next stage more quickly and if you think what the next stages on this road map, looking at you in the zist, this road map, looking at you in the 21st, the lifting of all legal restrictions, which is quite a big end point and the government has said what it wants to do is make sure this is a cautious but irreversible road map, that it doesnt want to have to go back on itself in a few months time. That is why they have been so keen to stick to it is quite slow unlocking but, as you said, on the other hand, you have people who are having their lives impacted every day by restrictions and, therefore, if you are a business, you will want to get these things opened up quicker and these things opened up quicker and these things opened up quicker and these things moved on so there are arguments on both sides, but certainly the government has been pretty consistently sticking to its line that slow but steady is the way to go. Line that slow but steady is the way to to. ,. ,. , line that slow but steady is the way to to. ,. ,. , to go. Helen, we are about a minute awa from to go. Helen, we are about a minute away from the to go. Helen, we are about a minute away from the press to go. Helen, we are about a minute away from the press conference, to go. Helen, we are about a minute away from the press conference, if l away from the press conference, if it is on time, which it isnt always, but let me ask you another question and i may have to rudely interrupt, we will see. The Prime Minister has faced quite a few Tory Backbenchers in recent weeks saying go faster, ease restrictions quicker. I suppose, go faster, ease restrictions quicker. Isuppose, given go faster, ease restrictions quicker. I suppose, given his success, his Leadership Success with the hartlepool by election especially, some of the other local election results, is he politically in a stronger position to sort of say to those kind of voices on the backbenches, actually, no, iwill do it my way. I backbenches, actually, no, iwill do it m wa. G , backbenches, actually, no, iwill do it m wa. ~ , it my way. I think he is. He is politically it my way. I think he is. He is politically in it my way. I think he is. He is politically in a it my way. I think he is. He is politically in a strong it my way. I think he is. He isj politically in a strong position it my way. I think he is. He is. Politically in a strong position off the back of those local elections and also, particularly in england, where, of course, the government has been mostly making the direct rules for england. 0f been mostly making the direct rules for england. Of course, in scotland and wales and Northern Ireland, each of the government has made specific rules on a lot of things, so the one area where the government, the westminster government has had the most direct control is in england and they do seem to have been pretty well rewarded for that in those elections last week, so, yes, i think it does put him in a strong position. I think also the fact that he has held firm at each stage where pressure has been applied, again, that puts him in a stronger position and some of the things a lot of backbenchers had been pushing for come in this step anyway, things like opening up indoor hospitality, it comes in step three. 0pening like opening up indoor hospitality, it comes in step three. Opening up some International Travel, that comes in step three although i think there is possibly going to be a little more heard around that because there is a bit of unhappiness about the initial greenness destinations. I want to begin by thanking everyone again for your patience and the sacrifices you have been making. Business, pubs, restaurants that have been waiting to welcome customers back through their doors, grandparents who have gone for months without seeing their grandchildren, weddings, postponed, funerals sadly constrained and religious festivals such as eid yet again facing restringion, i want to thank you because your efforts have so visibly paid off, giving us the time to vaccinate more than two thirds of all a Detective Superintendents a cross the uk, with more than one third, nearly 18 Million People also receiving their second dose, and there by unquestionably saving many lives. And so, its precisely because of your efforts, that i can confirm today, that we have met our four tests for further easing of lockdown in england, and chris will run through the details in a minute, but with deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest level since lastjuly, and the uks four Chief Medical 0fficers today agreeing a reduction in the alert level, the data now support moving to step three in england, from next monday, 17th may. This means the rule of six or two households that has applied outdoors will now apply indoors, and the limit for outdoor meetings will increase to 30, from next monday you will be able to sit inside a pub and inside a restaurant, you will be able to go to the cinema and children will be able to use indoor play areas. We children will be able to use indoor play areas play areas. We are reopening hostel, hotel, play areas. We are reopening hostel, hotel, b b, play areas. We are reopening hostel, hotel, b b, we play areas. We are reopening hostel, hotel, b b, we will. Play areas. We are reopening hostel, hotel, b b, we will reopen hostel, hotel, b b, we will re open the doors to theatre, Concert Halls and business conference centres. We will unlock the turnstiles of sports stadia, subject to Capacity Limits and from next week, everyone will be able to travel within britain, and stay overnight. Meaning schools will also be able to organise trips with overnight stays. We will no longer require face cover, in classrooms or for pupils in communal areas, all remaining University Students will be able to return to in person teaching, where they should be tested twice a week. We will increase the number of named visitors, for those In Care Homes, from two to five, and resident also have greater freedoms to leave their home, without having to isolate on their return. This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and i am confident that we will be able to go further. Subject to the impact of step three on the data, we remain on track to move to step four, on the zist track to move to step four, on the 21stjune, and to give business more time to prepare we will be saying more later this month, about exactly what the world will look like and what the world will look like and what role there could be, if any, for certification of social distancing. And today, we are taking a step towards that moment, when we learn to live responsibly, with covid. When we cease eventually to rely on detailed government edicts and make our own decisions. Based on the best scientific advice about how to protect our families, the best scientific advice about how to protect ourfamilies, and the best scientific advice about how to protect our families, and those around us. So, from next monday, we are updating the guidance on close contact between Friends And Family. Setting out the risk, for everyone, to make tear own cheeses. This doesnt mean we can suddenly throw caution to the winds. In fact, more than a year into this pandemic, we all know that close contact such as hugging, is a direct way of transmitting this disease. So i urge you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones, whether they have had a vaccine, one or two doses, and whether there has been time for that vaccine to take effect. Remember, outdoors is always safer than indoors. And, if you are meeting indoor, rememberto safer than indoors. And, if you are meeting indoor, remember to open a window, and let in the fresh air. Keep getting tested regularly, even if you dont have symptoms, so you dont spread the virus without knowing it. And whatever you decide, i must ask you, to continue to follow social distancing, when not with Friends And Family. Including in workplaces, shops, pubs, restaurants, and other settings. We only have to look at the very sad situation in other countries to see the lethal potential still of this virus, and we must continue to fight the spread of variants here in the uk. While we have no evidence yesterday to believe that these variants are completely vaccine resistant. We must remain vigilant. So, please remember, hands, face, space and fresh air. And as we mark Mental Health awareness week, perhaps also take a moment to check in on friend and family and see how they are doing, after all that we have been through together. 0r they are doing, after all that we have been through together. Or if you are struggling yourself, get the support that you need. Today, we are announcing the single biggest step on our road map, and it will allow us to do many of the things that we have yearned to do. For a long time. So lets protect these gains, by continuing to exercise caution and common sense. Thank you and over to chris. Commonsense. Thank you and over to chris. G commonsense. Thank you and over to chris. ~ ,. , commonsense. Thank you and over to chris. G ,. , ~ , chris. Thank you Prime Minister. The Ministers Set chris. Thank you Prime Minister. The Ministers Set out chris. Thank you Prime Minister. The Ministers Set out four chris. Thank you Prime Minister. The Ministers Set out four tests chris. Thank you Prime Minister. The Ministers Set out four tests for Ministers Set out four tests for moving Ministers Set out four tests for moving between the stages, and i would moving between the stages, and i would just moving between the stages, and i would just like to lay out the data behind would just like to lay out the data behind each of the test, first slide please behind each of the test, first slide please so behind each of the test, first slide please. So the first test was that the Vaccine Deployment Programme continues the Vaccine Deployment Programme continues successfully. And i think it is very continues successfully. And i think it is very clear, to everybody, in the uk, it is very clear, to everybody, in the uk, that it is very clear, to everybody, in the uk, that this has been very successful, a steady roll out for people successful, a steady roll out for people with for their first vaccine so we people with for their first vaccine so we have people with for their first vaccine so we have over two thirds of people have had so we have over two thirds of people have had a so we have over two thirds of people have had a first vaccine, in terms of adults have had a first vaccine, in terms of adults and just over a third of adults of adults and just over a third of adults have had a second vaccine already. Adults have had a second vaccine already, starting with the most vulnerable and this continues thanks to the vulnerable and this continues thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the nhs to the extraordinary efforts of the nhs. Next slide please. The nhs. Next slide please. The second test was that evidence continues the second test was that evidence continues to show that vaccines are sufficiently continues to show that vaccines are sufficiently after ebbing five as reducing sufficiently after ebbing five as reducing hospitalisations and death no those reducing hospitalisations and death no those vaccinate. We now have very clear data no those vaccinate. We now have very clear data from real world settings and some clear data from real world settings and some of that was published further and some of that was published further data was published by Public Health further data was published by Public Health england today. And this shows that there Health England today. And this shows that there is somewhere between a 55 and 70 that there is somewhere between a 55 and 70 reduction in terms of symptomatic disease for people who have had symptomatic disease for people who have had a symptomatic disease for people who have had a first vaccine, round a 7585 have had a first vaccine, round a 75 85 reduction in terms of hospitalisation, and a round a 75 80 purse hospitalisation, and a round a 75 80 purse reduction many chance of someone purse reduction many chance of someone dying after they have had the first someone dying after they have had the first vaccine. We also have data particularly the first vaccine. We also have data particularly from the Pfizer Vaccine particularly from the Pfizer Vaccine, it is accumulating for a2 which vaccine, it is accumulating for a2 which we vaccine, it is accumulating for a2 which we started to roll out slightly which we started to roll out slightly later, demonstrating that the second dose significantly further the second dose significantly further increasing the protection, so that further increasing the protection, so that over 90 and over 95 of people so that over 90 and over 95 of People Protection for people from death, People Protection for people from death, if People Protection for people from death, if they have that vaccine. So this is death, if they have that vaccine. So this is undoubtedly this test has been this is undoubtedly this test has been met. Next slide please. There is, however been met. Next slide please. There is, howeveran important been met. Next slide please. There is, however an important point to make is, however an important point to make on is, however an important point to make on this, and that is that we know make on this, and that is that we know that make on this, and that is that we know that the mortality, the chance of dying know that the mortality, the chance of dying and the chance of having severe of dying and the chance of having severe disease is much more weighted towards severe disease is much more weighted towards people who are older, or have towards people who are older, or have preexisting Health Conditions and on have preexisting Health Conditions and on the left hand side of this graph, and on the left hand side of this graph, what we have is over the period graph, what we have is over the period of graph, what we have is over the period of this pandemic the total number period of this pandemic the total number of people who have sadly died of number of people who have sadly died of covid in england, and what you can see is the red in england, and what you can see is the red line in england, and what you can see is the red line demonstrates the age group the red line demonstrates the age group to the red line demonstrates the age group to which we have got, so the Majority Group to which we have got, so the majority of group to which we have got, so the majority of people in every age band. Majority of people in every age band, Overthe Majority of people in every age band, over the age of 40, have now had a band, over the age of 40, have now had a first band, over the age of 40, have now had a first vaccine, and significant proportion had a first vaccine, and significant proportion of those at the top end have had proportion of those at the top end have had a proportion of those at the top end have had a second booster dose, and they have have had a second booster dose, and they have got a lot of protection but remembering this protection is not 100 ~ but remembering this protection is not 100 . But on the right, what you see not100 . But on the right, what you see is not 100 . But on the right, what you see is the not 100 . But on the right, what you see is the total number of people who have see is the total number of people who have cased covid, and what this shows, who have cased covid, and what this shows, is who have cased covid, and what this shows, is a who have cased covid, and what this shows, is a substantial proportion of the shows, is a substantial proportion of the people who catch covid, and some of the people who catch covid, and some of of the people who catch covid, and some of whom will get significant long term problems themselves but who Transmit Covid have not yet been vaccinated who Transmit Covid have not yet been vaccinated. This tell us a very positive vaccinated. This tell us a very positive thing, a that a lot of protection to those who are most vulnerable protection to those who are most vulnerable but it makes clear why if we go vulnerable but it makes clear why if we go too vulnerable but it makes clear why if we go too fast at this stage when things we go too fast at this stage when things have gone so well thanks to the efforts of the entire population there the efforts of the entire population there is the efforts of the entire population there is a the efforts of the entire population there is a risk of significant spread there is a risk of significant spread among those in the younger ae spread among those in the younger age groups. Next slide please. The third age groups. Next slide please. The third test age groups. Next slide please. The third test is that Infection Rates do not third test is that Infection Rates do not risk third test is that Infection Rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations, that would put unsustainable pressure on the nhs. As the unsustainable pressure on the nhs. As the Prime Minister has said the view of as the Prime Minister has said the view of all as the Prime Minister has said the view of all the Chief Medical Officers view of all the Chief Medical Officers for england, scotland, wales officers for england, scotland, wales and Northern Ireland, and of the medical director of the nhs, based the medical director of the nhs, based on the medical director of the nhs, based on advice from jcvi, not only the rates based on advice from jcvi, not only the rates in based on advice from jcvi, not only the rates in hospital are low, which we can the rates in hospital are low, which we can see the rates in hospital are low, which we can see in this graph to showing there we can see in this graph to showing there has we can see in this graph to showing there has been a steady decline and there has been a steady decline and the number of people dying from covid the number of people dying from covid is the number of people dying from covid is very small indeed, thankfully. In the uk. But that we, do not thankfully. In the uk. But that we, do not think there is a likelihood in the do not think there is a likelihood in the next do not think there is a likelihood in the next period, after this up surge in the next period, after this up surge of in the next period, after this up surge of seeing a significant increase surge of seeing a significant increase in pressure on the nhs, although increase in pressure on the nhs, although some increase in transmission should be assumed as a Result Transmission should be assumed as a result of transmission should be assumed as a result of The Transmission should be assumed as a result of the opening up that the prime result of the opening up that the Prime Minister has laid out. Next slide Prime Minister has laid out. Next slide please. The slide please. The final test and in a way the most difficult test, is the assessment of the risk from variants of concern. These are new variants of covid, which might be one or other other both of either more transmissable and that existing ones and everyone in the country will remember when the b117 variant started emerging in kent, it spread incredibly fast, so more transmissable ones are potentially a problem or ones that could cause problems with vaccination. Could cause problems with vaccination. �. ,. , vaccination. And we do have some confidence vaccination. And we do have some confidence that vaccination. And we do have some confidence that the vaccination. And we do have some confidence that the vaccines vaccination. And we do have some confidence that the vaccines we i vaccination. And we do have some i confidence that the vaccines we have provide confidence that the vaccines we have provide a confidence that the vaccines we have provide a reasonable degree protection from severe disease, but that can protection from severe disease, but that can be protection from severe disease, but that can be reduced with some of the existing that can be reduced with some of the existing variants, including the bi351 existing variants, including the b1351 first described in south africa b1351 first described in south africa but others could emerge, or we might africa but others could emerge, or we might have more transmissable ones and we might have more transmissable ones and we have a concern about a variant ones and we have a concern about a variant called b1617. 2, rather snappy variant called b1617. 2, rather snappy name, described from india, this is snappy name, described from india, this is spreading from very small amounts, this is spreading from very small amounts, but it is beginning to spread amounts, but it is beginning to spread in amounts, but it is beginning to spread in certain parts of the country. Spread in certain parts of the country, and we need to keep a close eye on country, and we need to keep a close eye on this, country, and we need to keep a close eye on this, the point about this is the threats eye on this, the point about this is the threats are significantly reduced but there are still some residual reduced but there are still some residual issues we need to keep a close residual issues we need to keep a close eye residual issues we need to keep a close eye on and we need to go carefully close eye on and we need to go carefully and steadily as the Prime Minister carefully and steadily as the Prime Minister has said. Patrick, have you anything to add at this stage . Let us go to members of the public and anne from york. What the public and anne from york. What Ro Ortion The Public and anne from york. What proportion of the public and anne from york. What proportion of recent the public and anne from york. What proportion of recent daily infection is found proportion of recent daily infection is found to proportion of recent daily infection is found to only from variants of concern, is found to only from variants of concern, otherthan is found to only from variants of concern, other than the kent variant concern, other than the kent variant. ,. ,. ,. , variant. Chris chris i am going to ass that variant. Chris chris i am going to pass that to variant. Chris chris i am going to pass that to you. Variant. Chris chris i am going to pass that to you. The variant. Chris chris i am going to pass that to you. The numbers l variant. Chris chris i am going to | pass that to you. The numbers in terms of how pass that to you. The numbers in terms of how many pass that to you. The numbers in terms of how many there pass that to you. The numbers in terms of how many there are, i pass that to you. The numbers in i terms of how many there are, are, were in the last slide so people may want to look at the exact number, the proportions at the moment are less than 5 , variant, which are, are the not the 8117, less than 5 , variant, which are, are the not the b117, the kent variant, which is the dominant one in the uk but that is changing the whole time. Most of them are currently relatively stable, they are not increasing at a great rate. The one that is slightly concerning us in terms of increasing as a proportion, is the variant which has been described from india, and than is in certain parts of the uk, and that does appear to be increasing but from very low levels over the last two weeks. Thank very much anne. Thank you chris. Frances from lincoln. 1milli chris. Frances from lincoln. With the road map chris. Frances from lincoln. With the road map set chris. Frances from lincoln. With the road map set to chris. Frances from lincoln. With the road map set to move to physical contact, the road map set to move to physical contact, how are you planning to prevent contact, how are you planning to prevent the Unvaccinated Under 40s teachers prevent the Unvaccinated Under 40s teachers and support staff who will feel the teachers and support staff who will feel the consequences of this . Thank you very feel the consequences of this . Thank you very much frances and i know there you very much frances and i know there will you very much frances and i know there will be a lot of people thinking there will be a lot of people thinking about the guidance on hugging thinking about the guidance on hugging and how, if at all, they should hugging and how, if at all, they should respond, and i would say that people should respond, and i would say that people as should respond, and i would say that peogie as i should respond, and i would say that people as i said, in my earlier are remark. People as i said, in my earlier are remark,. ,. ,. ,. , remark, you should do it if you think it is remark, you should do it if you think it is appropriate, remark, you should do it if you think it is appropriate, if remark, you should do it if you think it is appropriate, if you i think it is appropriate, if you think it is appropriate, if you think there is the risk are very low, but you should exercise care and common sense and clearly, with unvaccinated people, there must be a greater risk of transmission than with those who have had vaccination, but there are again, dont forget, frances, that even with two doses of the vaccine, although you will be add much less risk of death or of hospitalisation, there is still a risk of transmission, even though it is greatly reduced, so basically, frances, it is up to all of us, to exercise common sense, and caution in the way we do it. Lets go to hugh pym of the bbc. Thank you. Is it possible you might even thank you. Is it possible you might even bring thank you. Is it possible you might even bring forward thank you. Is it possible you might even bring forward the thank you. Is it possible you might even bring forward the june thank you. Is it possible you might even bring forward the june the thank you. Is it possible you mightl even bring forward the June The 21st date for even bring forward the June The 21st date for the even bring forward the June The 21st date for the final even bring forward the June The 21st date for the final stage even bring forward the June The 21st date for the final stage of even bring forward the June The 21st date for the final stage of the even bring forward the June The 21st date for the final stage of the road i date for the final stage of the road map date for the final stage of the road nrap and date for the final stage of the road nrap and the date for the final stage of the road map and the lifting date for the final stage of the road map and the lifting of date for the final stage of the road map and the lifting of all date for the final stage of the road map and the lifting of all legal map and the lifting of all legal restrictions, map and the lifting of all legal restrictions, or map and the lifting of all legal restrictions, orwill map and the lifting of all legal restrictions, orwillyou map and the lifting of all legal i restrictions, or will you definitely stick restrictions, or will you definitely stick to restrictions, or will you definitely stick to that restrictions, or will you definitely stick to that as restrictions, or will you definitely stick to that as the restrictions, or will you definitely stick to that as the earliest stick to that as the earliest possible stick to that as the earliest possible time . Stick to that as the earliest possible time . I stick to that as the earliest possible time . Stick to that as the earliest possible time . I think its very important possible time . I think its very important that possible time . I think its very important that we possible time . I think its very important that we should possible time . I think its very i important that we should proceed cautiously, but, as i have said many times now, hopefully irreversibly and the secret of the success that weve had so far i think has been that we have been guided by the data and we have given time to see the effect of each successive stage on the road map. So, from march to sixth until april 12 and then from april to 12 until may to 17th, and then on toJune The 21st, we have given ourselves a breathing space. What is happening today, or what is happening on may the 17th, is a very considerable unlocking and there will be a lot of extra movement, a lot of extra contact. That is just inevitable from what happened and we think we can do it, but its got to be done in a way that is cautious and i think we will want to have time to see the effects. You have heard what chris has said about the presence of the Indian Variant and other variants, we have just presence of the Indian Variant and other variants, we havejust got presence of the Indian Variant and other variants, we have just got to monitor these things as we go along and i think what business would want to see, getting ready for the 21st, is as much certainty about that as possible and that is what we aim to deliver. Thank you very much. Romily at itv. , 4. , deliver. Thank you very much. Romily at itv. ~ , ~. , deliver. Thank you very much. Romily atitv. ~ , ~. ,. , at itv. Prime minister, know you are tellin at itv. Prime minister, know you are telling peeple at itv. Prime minister, know you are telling peeple to at itv. Prime minister, know you are telling people to use at itv. Prime minister, know you are telling people to use their at itv. Prime minister, know you are telling people to use their own telling people to use their own judgment telling people to use their own judgment on telling people to use their own judgment on hugging. Telling people to use their own judgment on hugging. Given. Telling people to use their own judgment on hugging. Given it| telling people to use their own l judgment on hugging. Given it is telling people to use their own judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant factor judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant factor in judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant factor in the judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant factor in the spread judgment on hugging. Given it is a significant factor in the spread of i significant factor in the spread of covid, significant factor in the spread of covid, are significant factor in the spread of covid, are you significant factor in the spread of covid, are you expecting significant factor in the spread of covid, are you expecting peoplel significant factor in the spread of i covid, are you expecting people to be extremely covid, are you expecting people to be extremely cautious covid, are you expecting people to be extremely cautious about covid, are you expecting people to be extremely cautious about who i covid, are you expecting people to i be extremely cautious about who and how often be extremely cautious about who and how often they be extremely cautious about who and how often they hug . Be extremely cautious about who and how often they hug . Can be extremely cautious about who and how often they hug . Can i be extremely cautious about who and how often they hug . Can i also be extremely cautious about who and how often they hug . Can i also ask. How often they hug . Can i also ask who you how often they hug . Can i also ask who you are how often they hug . Can i also ask who you are looking how often they hug . Can i also ask who you are looking forward how often they hug . Can i also ask who you are looking forward to who you are looking forward to hugging . Who you are looking forward to hugging . And who you are looking forward to hugging . And lastly, who you are looking forward to hugging . And lastly, you who you are looking forward to hugging . And lastly, you saidl who you are looking forward to hugging . And lastly, you said there is a good hugging . And lastly, you said there is a good chance hugging . And lastly, you said there is a good chance we hugging . And lastly, you said there is a good chance we could hugging . And lastly, you said there is a good chance we could scrap is a good chance we could scrap social is a good chance we could scrap social distancing is a good chance we could scrap Social Distancing Rules is a good chance we could scrap. Social distancing rules altogether after june Social Distancing Rules altogether afterjune 21~ Social Distancing Rules altogether afterjune 21. The Social Distancing Rules altogether afterjune 21. The scientist Social Distancing Rules altogether afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing| afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing nrodeiiing afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing modelling have afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing modelling have no afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing modelling have no idea afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing modelling have no idea what afterjune 21. The Scientist Doing. Modelling have no idea what would happen modelling have no idea what would happen if modelling have no idea what would happen if that modelling have no idea what would happen if that is modelling have no idea what would happen if that is done, modelling have no idea what would happen if that is done, would modelling have no idea what would happen if that is done, would it modelling have no idea what would happen if that is done, would it bel happen if that is done, would it be a wise happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea in happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea in that happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea in that case . Happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea in that case . Happen if that is done, would it be a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much i a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much ijust a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much. Ijust repeat a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much. Ijust repeat what a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much. Ijust repeat what i a wise idea in that case . Thank you very much. Ijust repeat what i saidj very much. Ijust repeat what i said and whoever i hug, i can assure you it will be done with caution and restraint. I am not going to act it out now, but i think we all know what we mean. It is about basic common sense and, when it comes to social distancing from june the zist, i social distancing from June The 21st, i look at the data very carefully and i think, at the moment, it looks to me as though we may be able to dispense with the One Metre Plus rule. That is not yet decided, it is not yet clear, we will have to wait and see but it is by being prudent and being cautious we have been able to make the progress we have. As i say, we will be saying more to everybody, more to business, to give everybody as much clarity as we can about how they should prepare by the end of this month, getting ready forjune the zist. Month, getting ready forJune The 21st. Chris, or patrick, any more to add on the hugging question . I paiiii add on the hugging question . I will answer on the add on the hugging question . In ii. Answer on the question about post june 21. What do modellers have done is make an assumption that there is some still residual reduction in transmission that is due to a number of things. Hopefully, better ventilation. There will still be people Working From Home who can work from home and it is right for their business to do so. There will still be behaviours we will all demonstrate which means that contact probably wont be back to pre pandemic level. On average, pre pandemic, adults and children, roughly 11 contacts per day, currently it is down to four or so for adults, so it will probably remain down for a while to come. It is important we continue to isolate if positive or with symptoms, that is really, really important, to reduce the number of people out in circulation who are potentially able to pass the virus on. And, then, there may be other things as well required in certain circumstances. It may be, as winter comes, and if rates went up again, things like face coverings on transport might be necessary, but it is that First Tranche of things, that firstgroup of things that are really important in terms of keeping down the levels and those arent big impositions on any of us. They were what are what we are going to do in terms of interacting and things like ventilation and Working From Home if it is appropriate to do so. Thank ou, it is appropriate to do so. Thank you. Romily it is appropriate to do so. Thank you, romily. Tom it is appropriate to do so. Thank you, romily. Tom newton it is appropriate to do so. Thank| you, romily. Tom newton dunn, it is appropriate to do so. Thank you, romily. Tom newton dunn, times radio. Pa. You, romily. Tom newton dunn, times radio. � ,. , you, romily. Tom newton dunn, times radio. ,. ,. ,. ,. , radio. A question for all three of ou, on radio. A question for all three of you. On working radio. A question for all three of you, on working from radio. A question for all three of you, on Working From Home, radio. A question for all three of you, on Working From Home, i. Radio. A question for all three of. You, on Working From Home, i ask radio. A question for all three of you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses can you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses can think you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses can think about you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses can think about it you, on Working From Home, i ask so businesses can think about it now, i businesses can think about it now, is for businesses can think about it now, is for guidance businesses can think about it now, is for guidance going businesses can think about it now, is for guidance going to businesses can think about it now, is for guidance going to be businesses can think about it now, is for guidance going to be that. Is for guidance going to be that should is for guidance going to be that should go is for guidance going to be that should go from is for guidance going to be that should go from june is for guidance going to be that should go from june 21 is for guidance going to be that should go from june 21 or is for guidance going to be that. Should go from june 21 or should peopie should go from june 21 or should peopie he should go from june 21 or should people be thinking should go from june 21 or should people be thinking of should go from june 21 or should people be thinking of working i people be thinking of working through people be thinking of working through the people be thinking of working through the autumn people be thinking of working through the autumn and people be thinking of working through the autumn and potentially christmas through the autumn and potentially christmas at through the autumn and potentially christmas at home . Through the autumn and potentially christmas at home . Prime through the autumn and Potentiallyl Christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont Say Christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont say who christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont say who you christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont say who you will christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont say who you will hug christmas at home . Prime minister, you wont say who you will hug firstl you wont say who you will hug first but who you wont say who you will hug first but who will you wont say who you will hug first but who will you you wont say who you will hug first but who will you shake you wont say who you will hug first but who will you shake hands you wont say who you will hug first but who will you shake hands with i but who will you shake hands with first . But who will you shake hands with first . And but who will you shake hands with first . And when but who will you shake hands with first . And when will but who will you shake hands with first . And when will you but who will you shake hands with first . And when will you start first . And when will you start again . First . And when will you start again . Who first . And when will you start again . Who are first . And when will you start again . Who are you first . And when will you start again . Who are you going first . And when will you start again . Who are you going to| first . And when will you start again . Who are you going to shake hands again . Who are you going to shake hands with again . Who are you going to shake hands with when again . Who are you going to shake hands with when you again . Who are you going to shake hands with when you are again . Who are you going to shake hands with when you are allowed. Again . Who are you going to shakel hands with when you are allowed to and when hands with when you are allowed to and when will hands with when you are allowed to and when will that hands with when you are allowed to and when will that be . Hands with when you are allowed to and when will that be . And when will that be . Tom, on all of that, and when will that be . Tom, on all of that. As and when will that be . Tom, on all of that. As i and when will that be . Tom, on all of that, as i said, and when will that be . Tom, on all of that, as i said, i and when will that be . Tom, on all of that, as i said, i mean, and when will that be . Tom, on all of that, as i said, i mean, i and when will that be . Tom, on all of that, as i said, i mean, i dont. Of that, as i said, i mean, i dont want to be. Your question is a very good one but i think we are going to wait and give you more detail and more guidance about what we mean by the end of social distancing later this month. I am optimistic that things will get back much closer to normality, let me put it like that, but clearly people are going to want to continue to exercise their own judgment, their own discretion, for a long while to come. You will hear a lot more by the end of this month about exactly what the world afterJune The 21st is going to look like. At the moment, i am feeling very positive about it but we have got to be guided by the data. Anything to add on that . Thank you very much. Jason groves, daily mail. On that . Thank you very much. Jason groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister. Groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister can groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister can i groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister. Can i ask groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister. Can i ask the groves, daily mail. Thank you, Prime Minister. Can i ask The Scientists, minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given the minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given the excellent minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given the excellent data minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given the excellent data we minister. Can i ask The Scientists, given the excellent data we are l given the excellent data we are getting given the excellent data we are getting on given the excellent data we are getting on the given the excellent data we are getting on the success given the excellent data we are getting on the success of given the excellent data we are getting on the success of the l getting on the success of the vaccines, getting on the success of the vaccines, could getting on the success of the vaccines, could this getting on the success of the vaccines, could this now getting on the success of the vaccines, could this now potentially be the vaccines, could this now potentially he the last vaccines, could this now potentially be the last lockdown vaccines, could this now potentially be the last lockdown that vaccines, could this now potentially be the last lockdown that we vaccines, could this now potentially be the last lockdown that we see, i be the last lockdown that we see, harring be the last lockdown that we see, barring the be the last lockdown that we see, barring the emergence be the last lockdown that we see, barring the emergence of be the last lockdown that we see, barring the emergence of any barring the emergence of any terrible barring the emergence of any terrible new barring the emergence of any terrible new variant . Barring the emergence of any terrible new variant . And, i barring the emergence of any. Terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister. Terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister. Can terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister, can i terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister, can ijust terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister, can ijust pick terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister, can ijust pick you terrible new variant . And, Prime Minister, can ijust pick you up. Terrible new variant . And, primel minister, can ijust pick you up on that last minister, can ijust pick you up on that last point. Minister, can ijust pick you up on that last point, you minister, can ijust pick you up on that last point, you have minister, can ijust pick you up on that last point, you have said minister, can ijust pick you up on that last point, you have said in. That last point, you have said in the past that last point, you have said in the past that that last point, you have said in the past that you that last point, you have said in the past that you would that last point, you have said in the past that you would like that last point, you have said in the past that you would like to| that last point, you have said in. The past that you would like to see peopie the past that you would like to see peopie irack the past that you would like to see peopie back at the past that you would like to see people back at their the past that you would like to see people back at their desks the past that you would like to see people back at their desks at the past that you would like to see people back at their desks at the l people back at their desks at the end of people back at their desks at the end of all people back at their desks at the end of all this people back at their desks at the end of all this stop people back at their desks at the end of all this stop is people back at their desks at the end of all this stop is that people back at their desks at the end of all this stop is that how. People back at their desks at the i end of all this stop is that how you see the end of all this stop is that how you see the future . End of all this stop is that how you see the future . You end of all this stop is that how you see the future . You think end of all this stop is that how you see the future . You think people i end of all this stop is that how you i see the future . You think people can work as see the future . You think people can work as effectively see the future . You think people can work as effectively there see the future . You think people can work as effectively there or see the future . You think people can work as effectively there or has work as effectively there or has working work as effectively there or has working from work as effectively there or has Working From Home work as effectively there or has Working From Home got work as effectively there or has Working From Home got a work as effectively there or has Working From Home got a big. Work as effectively there or has. Working from home got a big part work as effectively there or has Working From Home got a big part to play in Working From Home got a big part to play in the Working From Home got a big part to play in the future Working From Home got a big part to play in the future still . Working from home got a big part to play in the future still . Last play in the future still . Last lockdown. Play in the future still . Last lockdown, chris, play in the future still . Last lockdown, chris, patrick . Play in the future still . Last i lockdown, chris, patrick . This play in the future still . Last lockdown, chris, patrick . This is a bi ste lockdown, chris, patrick . This is a big step being lockdown, chris, patrick . This is a big step being taken lockdown, chris, patrick . This is a big step being taken now, lockdown, chris, patrick . This is a big step being taken now, step big step being taken now, step three, lots of things starting up again. Overthe three, lots of things starting up again. Over the next one, there will be many more people vaccinated, so the balances between opening up and getting enough people vaccinated to be protected, it is important we dont get out of step with that and get ahead of ourselves. I think things are pointed in the right direction. We will have a much clearer idea of the effects of step three in mid june, we will know what effect that has had but everything is pointed in the direction that the vaccines are producing very effective reduction in hospitalisations and deaths, as chris has said. We know they are also reducing onward transmission. All of that points to this now being a much smoother path, it points to a lower increase than you might otherwise have expected with another wave and things, if they carry on without variants, i definitely pointed in the right direction. And. Pointed in the right direction. And, jason, on pointed in the right direction. And, jason. On your pointed in the right direction. And, jason, on your point pointed in the right direction. And, jason, on your point about what is the world going to look like, are people going to get back to work, do we want people to get back to work . Ijust remember when i was running tfl, observing a sudden paradox of transport, which is that the more people can communicate remotely with brilliant electronic devices, the more able they are to meet other people over the internet or through the ether, the more reason they actually find to meet face to face. And im pretty certain, and i know this is contested, but im pretty certain that, eventually, our town centres and city centres will be full of bustle, full of people wanting to interact again in the way that they always have done. Now, i might be mistaken in that belief, but ive long experience of watching the way great trouble this great metropolises operate and it leads me to believe that will happen. Sebastien payne of the financial times. ~ ,. , ~ , times. Thank you, Prime Minister. What ou times. Thank you, Prime Minister. What you have times. Thank you, Prime Minister. What you have announced times. Thank you, Prime Minister. What you have announced today i what you have announced today suggest what you have announced today suggest the what you have announced today suggest the pandemic what you have announced today suggest the pandemic is what you have announced today i suggest the pandemic is beginning what you have announced today suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under control suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under control and suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under control and we suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under control and we may suggest the pandemic is beginning to come under control and we may be i come under control and we may be past the come under control and we may be past the worst come under control and we may be past the worst of come under control and we may be past the worst of the come under control and we may be past the worst of the crisis. Come under control and we may be past the worst of the crisis. Where | past the worst of the crisis. Where do you past the worst of the crisis. Where do you think past the worst of the crisis. Where do you think it past the worst of the crisis. Where do you think it would past the worst of the crisis. Where do you think it would be past the worst of the crisis. Where l do you think it would be reasonable and not do you think it would be reasonable and not irresponsible. Do you think it would be reasonable and not irresponsible. And do you think it would be reasonable and not irresponsible. And to do you think it would be reasonable and not irresponsible. And to hold. Do you think it would be reasonable| and not irresponsible. And to hold a second and not irresponsible. And to hold a second independence and not irresponsible. And to hold a second independence referendum . | and not irresponsible. And to hold a second independence referendum . And to professor second independence referendum . And to professor whitty, second independence referendum . And to professor whitty, your second independence referendum . And to professor whitty, your slide to professor whitty, your slide shows to professor whitty, your slide shows the to professor whitty, your slide shows the cases to professor whitty, your slide shows the cases of to professor whitty, your slide shows the cases of the to professor whitty, your slide shows the cases of the indianl shows the cases of the Indian Variant shows the cases of the Indian Variant have shows the cases of the Indian Variant have doubled shows the cases of the Indian Variant have doubled in shows the cases of the Indian Variant have doubled in the i shows the cases of the indian l variant have doubled in the last week variant have doubled in the last week are variant have doubled in the last week are you variant have doubled in the last week. Are you at variant have doubled in the last week. Are you at all variant have doubled in the last week. Are you at all concernedl variant have doubled in the last week. Are you at all concerned this could week. Are you at all concerned this could destabilise week. Are you at all concerned this could destabilise the week. Are you at all concerned this could destabilise the lockdown could destabilise the Lockdown Easing could destabilise the Lockdown Easing pians could destabilise the Lockdown Easing plans and could destabilise the Lockdown Easing plans and could could destabilise the Lockdown Easing plans and could lead i could destabilise the Lockdown Easing plans and could lead to| could destabilise the lockdowni easing plans and could lead to a further easing plans and could lead to a further Lockdown Easing plans and could lead to a further lockdown in easing plans and could lead to a further lockdown in the easing plans and could lead to a i further lockdown in the autumn . Easing plans and could lead to a further lockdown in the autumn . On our further lockdown in the autumn . Your first point, further lockdown in the autumn . Yourfirst point, i had further lockdown in the autumn . Your first point, i had good yourfirst point, i had good conversations with all of the heads of the devolved administrations and i can tell you everybody was resolved that the number one priority for the whole of the uk was to build back better, come out of the coronavirus pandemic and build back better together. fin the coronavirus pandemic and build back better together. The coronavirus pandemic and build back better together. On the Indian Variant, back better together. On the Indian Variant. The back better together. On the Indian Variant, the fact back better together. On the Indian Variant, the fact that back better together. On the Indian Variant, the fact that there back better together. On the Indian Variant, the fact that there are variant, the fact that there are currently variant, the fact that there are currently three Indian Variants but the one currently three Indian Variants but the one we currently three Indian Variants but the one we are worried about in the uk is the one we are worried about in the uk is the the one we are worried about in the uk is the b1. 6172, it has gone up very uk is the b1. 6172, it has gone up very sharply and i think that is a reason very sharply and i think that is a reason for very sharply and i think that is a reason for us to be very careful about reason for us to be very careful about it reason for us to be very careful about it and there is a lot of work being about it and there is a lot of work being done about it and there is a lot of work being done by Public Health england to try and being done by Public Health england to try and delineate where it is and work to try and delineate where it is and work out to try and delineate where it is and work out ways by testing and isolation, work out ways by testing and isolation, we can get on top of the curve isolation, we can get on top of the curve of isolation, we can get on top of the curve of that. India has also gone into the curve of that. India has also gone into the red curve of that. India has also gone into the red list, which means new peopie into the red list, which means new people coming in will have been significantly reduced. But i think, in answer significantly reduced. But i think, in answer to both your question and to the in answer to both your question and to the previous one, what we know is, with to the previous one, what we know is, with all to the previous one, what we know is, with all the variants, things can come is, with all the variants, things can come out of a blue sky, you are not expecting it and something can happen not expecting it and something can happen it not expecting it and something can happen. It happened with the b117, it has happen. It happened with the b117, it has happened to india with this variant it has happened to india with this variant as it has happened to india with this variant as well, so i think it would be imprudent to say it is impossible. I think at this point in time, impossible. I think at this point in time, our impossible. I think at this point in time, ourview impossible. I think at this point in time, our view is this is a highly transmissible variant, at least as transmissible variant, at least as transmissible as the b117. It is possible transmissible as the b117. It is possible it is more transmissible but we possible it is more transmissible but we will have to see, at this point but we will have to see, at this point in but we will have to see, at this point in time. At this point in time, point in time. At this point in time, our point in time. At this point in time, ourview point in time. At this point in time, our view is it is less likely to be time, our view is it is less likely to be able time, our view is it is less likely to be able to escape vaccination than to be able to escape vaccination than some to be able to escape vaccination than some of the other variants, particularly the south african one but the particularly the south african one but the data is not properly and, so we need but the data is not properly and, so we need to but the data is not properly and, so we need to be cautious, until we have we need to be cautious, until we have seen we need to be cautious, until we have seen clear data that gives us an answer have seen clear data that gives us an answer one way or another. The reason an answer one way or another. The reason i an answer one way or another. The reason i have an answer one way or another. The reason i have given out as a relatively reason i have given out as a relatively technical answer is we dont relatively technical answer is we dont know if this will cause significant problems in the autumn. The way significant problems in the autumn. The way to significant problems in the autumn. The way to deal with that is identify the way to deal with that is identify the cases which have been happening, isolate where we can, which happening, isolate where we can, which is happening, isolate where we can, which is also happening, get through the rest which is also happening, get through the rest of which is also happening, get through the rest of the Vaccination Programme and ensure we have the Capacity Programme and ensure we have the capacity to programme and ensure we have the capacity to pick these up and also to re vaccinate as necessary when the autumn to re vaccinate as necessary when the autumn comes. The final point on this is the autumn comes. The final point on this is the the autumn comes. The final point on this is the way to minimise the number this is the way to minimise the number of this is the way to minimise the number of variants that circulate is et number of variants that circulate is get on number of variants that circulate is get on top number of variants that circulate is get on top of this as a global problem get on top of this as a global problem. That is something all of us are absolutely determined to support are absolutely determined to su ort. Are absolutely determined to su. Ort,. ,. Are absolutely determined to suuort. ,. ~. , are absolutely determined to suuort. ,~,. � support. Thanks very much. Adam bn cult of business support. Thanks very much. Adam bn cult of business insider. Support. Thanks very much. Adam bn cult of business insider. Cult of business insider. Bienkov cult of business insider. Bienkov. You cult of business insider. Bienkov. You are cult of business insider. Bienkov. You are on record as opposing bienkov. You are on record as opposing the bienkov. You are on record as opposing the last bienkov. You are on record as opposing the last labour bienkov. You are on record as opposing the last Labour Government passed opposing the last Labour Government passed my opposing the last Labour Government passed my plans opposing the last Labour Government passed my plans for opposing the last Labour Government passed my plans for photo opposing the last Labour Government passed my plans for photo id opposing the last Labour Government passed my plans for photo id cards. Passed my plans for photo id cards can be passed my plans for photo id cards can be described passed my plans for photo id cards can be described as passed my plans for photo id cards can be described as tyranny passed my plans for photo id cards can be described as tyranny and i can be described as tyranny and oppression, can be described as tyranny and oppression, so can be described as tyranny and oppression, so why can be described as tyranny and oppression, so why are can be described as tyranny and oppression, so why are you can be described as tyranny and| oppression, so why are you now pianning oppression, so why are you now pianning to oppression, so why are you now planning to bring oppression, so why are you now planning to bring forward oppression, so why are you now planning to bring forward in oppression, so why are you now planning to bring forward in the| planning to bring forward in the queens planning to bring forward in the queens speech planning to bring forward in the queens speech requiring planning to bring forward in the queens speech requiring all planning to bring forward in the i queens speech requiring all people voting queens speech requiring all people voting to queens speech requiring all people voting to have queens speech requiring all people voting to have id queens speech requiring all people voting to have id and queens speech requiring all people voting to have id and given queens speech requiring all people voting to have id and given that voting to have id and given that there voting to have id and given that there is voting to have id and given that there is evidence voting to have id and given that there is evidence that voting to have id and given that there is evidence that labour. Voting to have id and given that there is evidence that labour voters are nruch there is evidence that labour voters are much less there is evidence that labour voters are much less likely there is evidence that labour voters are much less likely to there is evidence that labour voters are much less likely to hold are much less likely to hold identification, are much less likely to hold identification, what are much less likely to hold identification, what you are much less likely to hold identification, what you sayj are much less likely to hold i identification, what you say to peopie identification, what you say to peopie that identification, what you say to people that this identification, what you say to people that this is identification, what you say to people that this is a identification, what you say to people that this is a way identification, what you say to people that this is a way to i people that this is a way to suppress people that this is a way to suppress votes people that this is a way to suppress votes for people that this is a way to suppress votes for people i people that this is a way to. Suppress votes for people who people that this is a way to suppress votes for people who would not vote suppress votes for people who would not vote for suppress votes for people who would not vote for the suppress votes for people who would not vote for the conservative suppress votes for people who would not vote for the conservative party . I not vote for the conservative party . I not vote for the conservative party . Iwouid not vote for the conservative party . Iwouid say not vote for the conservative party . Iwouid say that not vote for the conservative party . I would say that is not vote for the conservative party . I would say that is complete i would say that is complete nonsense and what we want to do is protect democracy, transparency and integrity of the electoral process and i dont think it is unreasonable to ask first time voters to produce some evidence of identity. So that is the reason. Ok, everybody, thank you very much indeed, thank you. That is the end of the corona riders briefing in Downing Street, the Prime Minister confirming the latest easing of lockdown in england Coronavirus Briefing in Downing Street. Letsjoin our Coronavirus Briefing in Downing Street. Lets join our health correspondence, correspondent, correspondent, nick triggle. So as so as expected, but there are still unknown is out there, arent there . Indeed, the Infection Levels are so low and the Vaccination Programme has gone so well and it was reflected by some of the questions there, what will happen injune 21, are all Social Distancing Rules going to be lifted but we have to recognise there are a lot of unknowns, really. This is a big step, allowing indoor mixing where the virus is more able to transmit. Professor chris whitty showed a chart there that had the numbers of people, by age, who died and the proportion of cases by age and, as we can see, it shows that those under the age of 40, very few deaths, but on the other side, lots of significant amounts of transmission. And these under a0 is other people not yet vaccinated, not even with one dose, so that suggests it is still possible we could see Infection Levels start increasing quite rapidly. We have seen it in other countries. The most vulnerable are protected but there are still around one in 20 people in a most at risk groups who have decided not to have a vaccine. The vaccine doesnt work for everyone so we are not going to see a wave of illness that is going to overwhelm the nhs but that would still be very distressing. We dont know what impact the seasons could have, we assume the virus will become seasonal. Certainly, last summer, rates were low, so seasonality could help keep it down but, on the flip side, The Scientists talked about the risk of variants, lots of evidence to suggest that vaccines still work against the variants but we just dont know and there is a whiz at risk so i think that is why they stressed the need for caution and to see what happens with this next step. fin and to see what happens with this next ste. And to see what happens with this next ste. ,. , and to see what happens with this next ste. ,. , and to see what happens with this next ste. ,. , next step. On the data we have had in for the next step. On the data we have had in forthe last next step. On the data we have had in for the last 24 next step. On the data we have had in for the last 24 hours next step. On the data we have had in for the last 24 hours and in for the last 2a hours and sometimes recording over the weekend is a bit slower, isnt it, in terms of the figures and they tend to be lower but what is interesting is there were four deaths in the uk, and i think for the first time, since march of last years there were no deaths at all in england, there were four deaths, all four were in wales but no deaths in england, no deaths in scotland, and no deaths in Northern Ireland. Irate deaths in scotland, and no deaths in Northern Ireland. Northern ireland. We did have a day like this in july Northern Ireland. We did have a day like this in july last Northern Ireland. We did have a day like this in july last summer, Northern Ireland. We did have a day like this in july last summer, where| like this injuly last summer, where there were no deaths but you are right, the four deaths seen in the uk that were reported were reported in wales, we do see at the weekend a lag in terms of reporting and recording deaths, so we will probably see a slightly higher number in the days to come and the way wales reports the figures means over the weekend, we tend not to see deaths reported, but it is still an indication how much progresses we have made. Infection levels are very low, we have one of the lowest rates of infection in the, in europe, and we know when Infection Levels comes down, deaths come down and we know the vaccines work incredibly well. So it is coming together, to give us that very positive set of figures that very positive set of figures that have come out today. Irate that very positive set of figures that have come out today. We were shown the graph that have come out today. We were shown the graph of that have come out today. We were shown the graph of the that have come out today. We were| shown the graph of the vaccinations, the rac roll out continues to be a success. Two thirds of the Adult Population are vaccinated. Tram population are vaccinated. Two thirds have population are vaccinated. Two thirds have had population are vaccinated. Thorn thirds have had their first dose, and let us remember people say that is not fully vaccinate. You get most of your protection from that first dose so that is a significant amount of protection for those who are most at risk of death and serious illness, a third of people have now had their second dose and we see in between, 2000,000 people get their dovesry day, so that number will keep going up and the government is on tar goat meet its deadline for the end ofjuly for all adults to be offered a first dose and all should have a second dose by the end of september. Irate have a second dose by the end of september september. We got new data on vaccination september. We got new data on vaccination and september. We got new data on vaccination and how september. We got new data on vaccination and how effective i september. We got new data on i vaccination and how effective they are the astrazeneca and the pfizer in particular. Are the astrazeneca and the pfizer in particular in particular. Yes, this was from pubuc in particular. Yes, this was from Public Health in particular. Yes, this was from Public Health england, in particular. Yes, this was from Public Health england, showing| in particular. Yes, this was from Public Health england, showing that the astrazeneca, after one dose reduced the risk of death by 80 , thatis reduced the risk of death by 80 , that is the same as the Pfizer Vaccine, because the Pfizer Vaccine started to be rolled out sooner than the astrazeneca one, we had that data for fizz several weeks ago, what we got today for pfizer was the impact of a second dose, and that, improved the immunity even more as we would expect, so the risk of death was reduced by 97 . We know these vaccines cut the risk of symptomatic infection by about two thirds, and if you are infected, they reduce the risk of you passing on the virus, so this explains how the Infection Levels have come right down in the uk and hopefully, will stay there, because the, as we have said, the move to allow indoor mixing in england next week, is the biggest test, the most significant move in the road map and is the environment that allows the environment that allows the environment to spread most easily. For the moment, nick, thank you very much indeed. That is nick triggle our Health Correspondent. We can get reaction to the Downing Street Briefing there, we were listening to, from the liberal Democrat Health and social care spokesperson, thank you for being with us on bbc new. So the Prime Minister sticking to his road map, keeping his, what hopes would be his promise of Easing Restrictions by next monday, are you pleased by that, is that the right sort of timing . I pleased by that, is that the right sort of timing . Pleased by that, is that the right sort of timing . I think we need to recotnise sort of timing . I think we need to recognise we sort of timing . I think we need to recognise we are sort of timing . I think we need to recognise we are in sort of timing . I think we need to recognise we are in the sort of timing . I think we need to recognise we are in the situation, j recognise we are in the situation, thanks to the immense sacrifices of the british people, through a very very difficult and long lockdown, and also, the fantastic work of nhs staff and volunteers in rolling out the Vaccination Programme at such high speed. So, yes, ithink the Vaccination Programme at such high speed. So, yes, i think it is right to move with caution, and re open in line with the road map which i think has been reasonably cautious, i would urge against any further easing of International Travel restrictions at the home, in terms of having rigorous Public Health measures at our borders, as we have seen from the press conference, there are a number of variants of concern in circulation, we have seen a sharp jump variants of concern in circulation, we have seen a sharpjump in variants of concern in circulation, we have seen a sharp jump in the Indian Variantand we have seen a sharp jump in the Indian Variant and making sure that we are getting people into covid safe transport from airports to quarantine or self isolation location, making sure that airports arent breeding grounds for the virus, we have heard stories about people having to queue for hours, thatis people having to queue for hours, that is important, and so is helping vaccinate the rest of the world. That is where the main threat comes from, outside the uk, now, and if we wanted to protect the re opening off businesses up and down the country and for people to be able to hold their loved ones, then we really need to be very very careful about importing new cases. Is need to be very very careful about importing new cases. Importing new cases. Is there a case, do importing new cases. Is there a case. Do you importing new cases. Is there a case, do you think, importing new cases. Is there a case, do you think, for importing new cases. Is there a | case, do you think, for speeding importing new cases. Is there a case, do you think, for speeding up the easing of restriction, for example, beforejune 21st, if you look at the death figures we were discussing them with nick triggle. Zero deaths today in england, scotland and Northern Ireland. Mgm. Scotland and Northern Ireland. Well, i think what we scotland and Northern Ireland. Well, i think what we are scotland and Northern Ireland. Well, i think what we are seeing scotland and Northern Ireland. Ii i think what we are seeing next week is quite a significant opening up, i think it is probably the biggest step so far, sol think it is probably the biggest step so far, so i would like to see the data on the impact of that, before we went further any quicker. And it was interesting, today, that the Prime Minister made an announcement about face coverings in school, i mean the latest sage advice on that was that was perhaps not advised untiljune at the earliest, so that is already a step, i think the Prime Minister has taken, against the advice of his scientists and led would question the wisdom of that, not least because children are not yet allowed to have the vaccine, the vaccine is not licensed for children, but also as one of the members of the public who asked a question, raised the point that actually young teachers under the age of a0 havent been vaccinated yet, so i fully understand and i hearfrom constituents who are concerned about the impact on communication and teaching of wearing facemasks in school, but i think that is an important measure to have in place a mitigation measure to stop the spread of the virus, particularly given the rates of long covid, we know one in ten get long covid, the specialist clinics are massively oversubscribed for that and we are hearing about children getting long covid as well. So we need to go step wise and cautiously, so that we dont, the last thing we want to do, the last thing anybody wants to do is end up in a fourth lockdown. The Prime Minister was criticised a lot in the early stages of the pandemic, for his handling of this crisis, but would you say, would you now give him credit for hi, as he calls it this caucus but irreversible approach to the easing of lockdown, thatis approach to the easing of lockdown, that is what he is aiming for and for the roll out of the vaccine, and perhaps that was rewarded by if terms of his personal recognition by the electorate, in the hartlepool by election, that the elector, the voters think he has done quite a good job. Voters think he has done quite a goodjob. I voters think he has done quite a tood ob. ~ ,. , voters think he has done quite a tood ob. ~ y. , ,. , ~ good job. I think if you spoke the families of good job. I think if you spoke the families of the good job. I think if you spoke the families of the people good job. I think if you spoke the families of the people who good job. I think if you spoke the families of the people who lost i families of the people who lost their lives to covid, i am not sure how much credit that i would give to the Prime Ministerfor many how much credit that i would give to the Prime Minister for many of the mistakes that were made in the first and second wave, and that is, you know, the price that has been paid in terms of lost lives, and livelihoods up and down the country rand of course, the government and indeed the governments of scotland and wales benefitted from the vaccine bounce in the elections last week, but i think the proof of the pudding is going to be how the government handles the recovery, both in terms of when furlough ends, and unemployment rises, and in terms of the how they are going to prioritise people and the planet, in terms the of our recovery, lets see what policies they come forward with then and when they will reward people who have given them their vote, leapt their votes, people who have given them their vote, leapt theirvotes, in people who have given them their vote, leapt their votes, in terms of providing ongoing support and the job didnts that people will need as things ease. Bill job didnts that people will need as things ease things ease. All right. Thank you for our things ease. All right. Thank you for your time. Things ease. All right. Thank you for your time. Thanks things ease. All right. Thank you for your time. Thanks for things ease. All right. Thank you for your time. Thanks for being i things ease. All right. Thank you i for your time. Thanks for being with us. It is notjust in england that restrictions are being ease. The devolved governments in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland have their own road maps out of lockdown of course, we can get more details starting with lorna gored whopp has been giving us an update on the scottish plans for Foreign Travel the bbc uns that people in scotland will be able to travel to some International Destinations without having to quarantine on their return, the move will be part of the Traffic Light System that is similar to that in england and that will come into effect on 2ath may. Nicola sturgeon is expected to give more details of further easing of coronavirus restrictions here tomorrow, those are expected to come into effect next monday. I think we will see changes then perhaps to the number of people who can meet in certain environments, keep to that is the fact that four adults from two households will be able to meet in private homes again, for the first time and stay overnight as well. That will be very welcome news to a lot of people, there will probably be changes to the restrictions round hospitality, including the resumption of selling is of alcohol indoors because remember, of course, pub, cafes and restaurants re opens here in scotland a couple of weeks ago, but the restrictions they have will, is expected to be eased next monday as well. These are expected to be almost scotland wide, one areas of the country, however, that is still experiencing sustained Community Transmission, is moray in the north of scotland, the covid rates there are round four times those seen in the rest of scotland. They are taking measures to try and curb the spread of the virus there, including offering the vaccine to 18 39 Year Olds ahead of the rest of the country, but it is expected the moray wont follow the rest of scotland in seeing an easing of restriction, that is the situation in scotland, what about in wales . Hwyel griffiths is in cardiff for us now. ~ hwyel griffiths is in cardiff for us now. ~ ,. , hwyel griffiths is in cardiff for us now. ~. ,. , now. Thank you, the welsh Labour Government now. Thank you, the welsh Labour Government fresh now. Thank you, the welsh Labour Government fresh from now. Thank you, the welsh Labour Government fresh from election i government fresh from election success government fresh from election success has been meeting this afternoon to discuss the latest stage afternoon to discuss the latest stage of afternoon to discuss the latest stage of unlocking restrictions here, stage of unlocking restrictions here, at stage of unlocking restrictions here, at the moment two households in wale here, at the moment two households in wale can here, at the moment two households in wale can meet indoor, and up to six people in wale can meet indoor, and up to six people from six households can meet six people from six households can meet outdoors, the Welsh Government before meet outdoors, the Welsh Government before the meet outdoors, the Welsh Government before the election signalled it wanted before the election signalled it wanted to open indoor hospitality for next wanted to open indoor hospitality for next monday, the same day as in england for next monday, the same day as in england but for next monday, the same day as in england but lots of pub, bars and restaurants asking what kind of bookings restaurants asking what kind of bookings can they take . Can they allow bookings can they take . Can they allow six bookings can they take . Can they allow six people from six households indoors allow six people from six households indoors or allow six people from six households indoors or or as in the autumn a the rule of indoors or or as in the autumn a the rule of four indoors or or as in the autumn a the rule of four. Another question discussed rule of four. Another question discussed in that Cabinet Meeting, is foreign discussed in that Cabinet Meeting, is Foreign Travel. As in scotland, we dont is Foreign Travel. As in scotland, we dont know yet whether wales will adopt we dont know yet whether wales will adopt the we dont know yet whether wales will adopt the same system, whether it be the give adopt the same system, whether it be the give the adopt the same system, whether it be the give the same green light to that list the give the same green light to that list of countries, then the question that list of countries, then the question of the cwtsh, the welsh word question of the cwtsh, the welsh word for question of the cwtsh, the welsh word for a question of the cwtsh, the welsh word for a hug. Question of the cwtsh, the welsh word fora hug. Hug. Much trailed about word fora hug. Hug. Much trailed about people being allowed to hug people about people being allowed to hug people not in the household, will welsh people not in the household, will welsh people be able to embrace people welsh people be able to embrace people they dont live with again . We know people they dont live with again . We know the cabinet will meet again before we know the cabinet will meet again before the we know the cabinet will meet again before the review resulted are revealed before the review resulted are revealed. That is a news from a slightly revealed. That is a news from a slightly rainy cardiff bay. Let us speak slightly rainy cardiff bay. Let us speak to slightly rainy cardiff bay. Let us speak to emma in Northern Ireland. Northern speak to emma in Northern Ireland. Northern ireland has been behind other parts of the uk in terms of Lifting Restrictions here, outdoor hospitality has been open forjust over a week now and the date they are expecting to allow people back to indoor hospitality is about two weeks time, may 2ath but that is only in pencil, we need to get it confirmed by the stormont assembly. The picture in Northern Ireland 0 looked roughly where it was back in last september before the big surge over winter, last september before the big surge overwinter, lower numbers of people in hospital with the virus now, we get about a fatality every three or four day, so the picture is looking very much in the right direction, the Vaccination Programme is also progressing faster than expected, the age group of 30 35 currently the ones who are queueing up to get their vaccines at the moment. But saying all that, Northern Ireland has still had a slightly higher rate of infections than the Rest Of The Uk. One theory as to why that is is because of cross border travel with the republic of ireland. The republic of ireland has been a little way behind their Vaccination Programme, compared to the uk. Now there has been some pressure to restore the common travel area, that is travel between britain and the island of ireland. A bit of an amamly in the rules if you were to travel to the republic you would need a negative test and need to quarantine. Those rules dont apply the other way round, this week you have seen Ferry Operators pressuring government to say we need to make the rules the same in both directions and we expect to see Northern Irelands Health Minister discussing that with the Irish Government soon. Emma vardy emma va rdy reporting emma vardy reporting from belfast. Lets get more reaction to the latest coronavirus Downing Street Briefing. We can speak to thank debonair, former secretary of state for housing thangham debonnaire. The Prime Minister has given the go ahead for an easing of lockdown again for a weeks time, do you think that is the right timing . This think that is the right timing . As the think that is the right timing . Is the chief scientific think that is the right timing . 23 the chief scientific officer think that is the right timing . 2. 3 the chief scientific officer and the Chief Medical Officer have said, there is the data to support this decision and i think we need to be police, who couldnt be pleased at the thought that we could hug some of our relative soon and visit people inside homes and we still need to exercise caution is that that they have given us. That is because most people now have had one vaccine but not everyone of course have had two and there are still some who havent had any and we still dont know the long term data about that. There is also the concern about variants, so there is a mixed picture. It is obviously great news for the hospitality industry, who have been through a lot, are my own patch of bristol, a lot, are my own patch of bristol, a lot of businesses who have struggled for the last year but i think as we come out of this into what will hopefully be a good spring and summer, we also need to remember that over 126,000 people have tragically lost their lives, many people have lostjobs and livelihoods and businesses and it has been really tough, for instance, on people who have long term illnesses or disabilities and have had to isolate and have really struggled over the last year. The Prime Minister says his timetable is cautious but irreversible. The next stage after next monday is due on the 21st for the end of all restrictions, but some people watching this may say why not end restrictions sooner than that June The 21st . Four deaths reported in the latest 2a hour period, no coronavirus deaths in england, scotland and Northern Ireland and the vaccine roll out, as you have said, two thirds of the adult backs back at a later population vaccinated, why not bring it to an end or quicker at the Adult Population vaccinated. Why not bring it to an end quicker . It to an end quicker . Well, two thirds of the it to an end quicker . Well, two thirds of the adult it to an end quicker . Well, two thirds of the Adult Population i it to an end quicker . Well, two i thirds of the Adult Population have had one vaccination, not two and we need to give it time to reopen to see what the impact is and there is always the worrying backdrop, the variants of concern spreading in countries like india, brazil and we know that we are not all safe, we are not through this until everybody is safe and that is a really mixed picture. Even in neighbouring countries in the european union, there are some places where there are still rising Infection Rates and whilst we do have travel restrictions at the moment, they are gradually going to change, so we need to give a decent amount of time for the data to come through so we can see if there are any effects as we opened things up. There is no denying of course that everybody must be looking forward to things Getting Better and opening up in the summer. ,. ,. , summer. Your leader, keir starmer, earlier in the summer. Your leader, keir starmer, earlier in the pandemic summer. Your leader, keir starmer, earlier in the pandemic criticised earlier in the pandemic criticised borisjohnson for not being cautious enough. Do you think now he has learned his lesson and he is being cautious enough, generally, when you look at his timetable . Weill. Cautious enough, generally, when you look at his timetable . Look at his timetable . Well, i hope so because look at his timetable . Well, i hope so because failure look at his timetable . Well, i hope so because failure to look at his timetable . Well, i hope so because failure to be look at his timetable . Well, i hope so because failure to be cautious. Look at his timetable . Well, i hopej so because failure to be cautious in the autumn, when keir starmer followed the advice of The Scientist and called quite rightly for what he called a circuit breaker, which the government under Prime Minister in particular unfortunately mocked at the time, we could all see as the auto moron really quickly that that was a real mistake. As the autumn rolled on. We could see the restrictions lifted at christmas would have consequence and we had to go into a swift and harsh lockdown in the new year and that is what you get when you have a prior minister who recklessly disregards the advice of scientists. This has been the case too often, not every time, but too often and now we are coming out, caution is important and at least the Prime Minister is starting to notice it is in everybody� s interest, economic interest as well. Too many times in the pandemic of the Prime Minister and others have paid off played of economic and Health Consequences and we need both to be recovering as we come out of the pandemic. To be recovering as we come out of the pandemic to be recovering as we come out of the pandemic. Thangam debbonaire, former shadow the pandemic. Thangam debbonaire, former shadow secretary the pandemic. Thangam debbonaire, former shadow secretary of the pandemic. Thangam debbonaire, former shadow secretary of housing, j former shadow secretary of housing, thank you very much for your time. Lets go to professor thangam debbonaire, of the University Of St Andrews and fellow of the Royal Society. We were talking to you about the briefing before the briefing, i hope you had a chance to listen to it, the easing of restrictions next week. Is it a sensible way forward in your view . I sensible way forward in your view . I found it quite fascinating because it was much more sober than we had been led to believe by all of the trails of the last few days. Quite rightly, a stress on what a big change is happening next week. This is the one where we start meeting up indoors and indoors is where most of The Transmission happens, about 97 of super spreader events are indoors, so a big, big step and are acknowledged as such. Quite a lot about the variants of concern, the so called Indian Variant and it spread and the way in which it seems to be taking overfrom spread and the way in which it seems to be taking over from the spread and the way in which it seems to be taking overfrom the kent variant, so a lot of concern about that as well. And instead of the message of lets all go out and hug each other, which i think would have been the wrong message to give, it gave a much more, i think, measured approach, which was to say lets keep each other safe and lets learn how to keep each other safe. So, if we hug, lets think are we helping someone or doing them harm . How can we keep ourselves safe . So, to me, it was a much more sober presentation than i had expected and i expect it reflects the fact that a lot of people are very concerned about the so called Indian Variant and it spread and we need to look carefully about what is happening before we can feel safe and before we can feel we are out of the woods. You sound a little bit nervous about what is going to happen next week with the easing in england of lockdown . With the easing in england of lockdown . , ,. , with the easing in england of lockdown . ,. , lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be. Lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be, this lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be, this is lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be, this is the lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be, this is the big lockdown . Everybody is nervous and we have to be, this is the big step, i we have to be, this is the big step, moving indoors and interacting indoors is where spread happens and i think it is very important to learn, well, in those contexts, how can we do the most possible to keep ourselves safe . One very important measure is ventilation. I was listening to some data today which suggests that most people think ventilation is less important than hands, face, space and in many ways, it is the most important thing. So learning how we can keep each other safe and learning how we can avoid putting each other into danger is remarkably important. On top of that, i think we should hear more about the government can help us, for instance in the same way we used to have insulation grants for homes, how about ventilation grants, both to private homes and to businesses, to private homes and to businesses, to make sure the spaces we go into are not ones where covid can accumulate and hang around and affect us . So keeping us safe is something the government needs to do and it needs to give us information and it needs to give us information and we need to know how to act to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe as well. Stephen reicher, thank you, we are out of time but thank you for being with us. Lets hear more on what the Prime Minister had to say about the further unlocking of restrictions in england, due to come into effect from next monday. I england, due to come into effect from next monday. England, due to come into effect from next monday. I want to begin by thankina from next monday. I want to begin by thanking everyone from next monday. I want to begin by thanking everyone again from next monday. I want to begin by thanking everyone again for from next monday. I want to begin by thanking everyone again for your thanking everyone again for your patience and for the sacrifices that you have been making. Businesses, pubs, restaurants that have been waiting to welcome customers back through their doors, grandparents who have gone for months without seeing their grandchildren, wedding is postponed, funerals sadly constrained and religious festivals, such as eid, yet again facing restrictions and i want to thank you particularly because your efforts have so visibly paid off, giving us the time to vaccinate more than two thirds of all adults across the uk, with more than one third, nearly 18 Million People, also receiving their second dose and thereby, unquestionably, saving many lives. And, so, it is precisely because of your efforts that i can confirm today that we have met our four tests for further easing the lockdown in england and chris will run through the details in a minute, but with deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest levels since last july and the uks for Chief Medical Officer is today agreeing a reduction in the alert level, the data now supports moving to step three in england from next monday the 17th of may. This means the rule of six, or two households, that is applied outdoors will now apply indoors and the limit for outdoor meetings will increase to 30. From next monday, you will be able to sit inside a pub and inside a restaurant. You will be able to go to the cinema and children will be able to use indoor play areas. We are reopening hostels, hotels, b bs. We will reopen the doors to our theatres, Concert Halls and business conference centres. We will unlock the turnstiles of our sports stadium, subject to Capacity Limits and, from next week, everyone will be able to travel within britain and stay overnight, Meaning Schools will be able also to organise trips with overnight stays. We will no longer require face coverings in classrooms, awful students in communal areas in secondary schools colleges all for students. All remaining University Students will be able to return to in person teaching, where they should be tested twice a week. We will increase the number of named visitors for those In Care Homes from two up to five. And residents will have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return. This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and i am confident that we will be able to go further. The Prime Minister at this evenings Downing Street Briefing. Fiona bruce is coming up with the bbc news at six but now the weather. Hello, again. It has been one of those dramatic sunshine and showers kind of days, this was malvern in yorkshire, that clout is the sign of a really intense thunderstorm and across north east england, county durham, one place we had a hailstorm working its way through. Last month was very, very dry, one of the driest places in april was in leuchars, but it is one of the wettest places this month so far, and there is more rain to come this week, notjust in scotland but across the whole of the British Isles. It is going to be a particularly unsettled run of weather. Why . Rain associated with low pressure, here is the low pressure over the top of the uk and the thing with this low pressure, normally, they move through to the north and east and tend to clear out of the way but this one cant do that because we have a blocking area of High Pressure around scandinavia and western russia and that is keeping the low trapped over our skies in the British Isles and that means we have more of the showers to come. The radar picture picking up lots of showers around at the moment, they will very gradually fade away across inland areas but we will probably see some rain working northwards overnight in scotland, some quite heavy, still with the chance of a few rumbles of thunder. Temperature is around six or seven celsius. Tuesday, this rain in scotland clears away pretty quickly, so scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England having the best of the morning weather with lots of sunshine. Showers developing further south and they will quickly get going across england and wales, then become heavy and thundery as they work northwards across Northern England into southern scotland and probably Northern Ireland. We may see some showers merged together to give longer downpours at times across south wales in the south west of england, where it will be pretty gusty again. By wednesday, another showery day although there could be longer spells of rain from low pressure skirting into the south of england. Some uncertainty about that feature. Otherwise, showers again but the wind will be lighter and that means where you do see a shower or thunderstorm, that means where you do see a shower orthunderstorm, it that means where you do see a shower or thunderstorm, it will be slower to move its way through, so some hefty downpours. Showers continue to be a feature through the weather this week. This weekend and into next week as well. The covid alert level is dropped as the Prime Minister confirms restrictions will be eased further in england next week. From monday, restaurants and pubs will be able to serve up to six people or two households indoors. This is i guess the kind of most significant part of the road map, being able to trade indoors. Pupils in secondary schools will no longer be required to wear facemasks. This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality, and i am confident that we will be able to go further. And at last we will be allowed to hug people again for the first time last march. Also tonight the labour leader holds his first shadow Cabinet Meeting after a stand off with his deputy and the election losses over the weekend