Tensions are rising within government as the more transmissible strain threatens to derail the roadmap, which should see all legal restrictions lifted from next month.
From today, pubs, restaurants and cafes can serve customers indoors, cinemas and hotels can reopen
But SAGE scientist Jeremy Farrar says he wouldn t for the moment take part in these new found freedoms
His colleagues also rule out going to the pub and advise against high risk procedure of hugging someone
Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted ministers would not allow the new variant to spread like wildfire
Tory MPs called on the PM to reject warnings from scientists that lockdown curbs may have to remain in place
TOAST for breakfast! Jubilant Britons celebrate with champagne in the Ivy or a pint down the pub as bars and restaurants allow punters inside for first time since Christmas on Freedom Day
Britons flood back to pubs and bars on Freedom Monday as restrictions lifted in England for indoor hospitality
One pair clinked glasses of bubbly in The Ivy in London, as they marked Freedom Day in England in style
One man in Birmingham was pictured with a drink in each hand as he prepared to eat a full-English breakfast
Others skipped food altogether and opted for liquid breakfast , as Britons rejoiced reopening of indoor areas
Huge lockdown easing today has been marred by fears about the Indian variant triggering a third wave
SAGE scientists have said they won t enjoy new-found freedoms because the virus appears more infectious
Cases are surging in hotspots Bolton, Blackburn, Sefton, Bedford, Nottingham and Leicester
NHS England data show they are all but one (Sefton) behind the England average on jab rollout to adults
There are concerns sudden spikes in cases will be severe for people who have only had one or no doses of jab