Boris Johnson: A look at possible road map

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Boris Johnson will later be outlining how and when lockdown restrictions will be eased in England following the success of the NHS vaccine programme and a reduced number of cases and deaths. Prior to the national lockdown, which came into place on January 4, England was divided by a tier system.

Initially, the system had three levels based on how prevalent the virus was within an area – ranging from one being the lowest risk level to three being the highest.

This all changed suddenly before Christmas with the introduction of Tier 4, which closely resembles the lockdown England is currently under.

London and the south-east were plunged under the harshest restrictions just before Christmas, meaning millions could no longer travel to spend time with loved ones on the special day.

The news that lockdown restrictions will be changing comes alongside the news that current vaccines can reduce a person’s risk of being admitted to hospital by as much as 94 percent, as well as a dramatic fall in the number of cases in recent weeks.

New data suggests that four weeks after receiving an initial dose, risk of being admitted to hospital can be reduced by as much as 94 percent if the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was given.

Cases have fallen dramatically in recent weeks, with numbers in hospitals and deaths falling, as well as community transmission rates dropping.

Despite this, the UK still has one of the highest death rates in the world, with more than 120,000 people having died from the virus.

Some 106,000 of these deaths have been in England.

Will England be returning to the Tier system?

Vaccines minister Nadhim has confirmed that England will not be returning to the tier system, instead using a national approach to easting restrictions.

Asked if the tier system would return, the minister told LBC: “I think because the way this new variant actually took hold, which has become the dominant variant, the Kent variant, in the United Kingdom, infection rates around the country pretty much rose to similar, very high, unsustainable levels.

“So the view is very much that this is about a gradual reopening of the whole of England, not regional.”

DON’T MISS
Time to target end of lockdown, Boris, says JAMES WHALE [OPINION]
Coronavirus new strain symptoms: Six serious long-term complications [EXPLAINER]
Boris set to SCRAP ‘stay at home’ rule and allow families to mix [REPORT]

Although Boris Johnson is yet to announce changes to the lockdown strategy, it is known that schools will be returning on March 8, and some significant changes to socialising are earmarked for the end of March.

It is thought that the rule of six will return from March 29, and socialising with those outside your household will be allowed again.

Ahead of the announcement this evening, Mr Johnson said: “Today I’ll be setting out a roadmap to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.

“Our priority has always been getting children back into school which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical wellbeing, and we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.

“Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.

“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan.”

Sir Keir Starmer said he will be looking for a cautious approach from Boris Johnson regarding the upcoming roadmap.

He told LBC: ”I want the Prime Minister to learn the lessons of the last two lockdowns.

“I think he came out too quickly, without caution, and that caused problems because we went back into lockdown.

“Everybody – and I think the Prime Minister is in this place now – wants this to be the last lockdown. So come out cautiously, carefully – that’s the language he is using, so I’m looking for that this afternoon.

“That will inevitably mean restrictions for a bit longer so businesses desperately need a bit more support – business rate relief, VAT for hospitality – because they are going to struggle for another few months.”

Source: Read Full Article