UK lockdown: Graph shows it IS driving cases down as Boris Johnson extends rules until at least March 8
BORIS Johnson announced lockdown will be extended until at least March 8 after seeing cases plummet by more than half during the current restrictions.
The PM told the House of Commons a sharp drop in Covid cases has convinced ministers tighter measures are working and a roadmap for exiting lockdown will be laid out from February 22.
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Some schools will start to re-open from March 8 with other social restrictions being eased after that, Mr Johnson said.
He added: "The way forward has been clear ever since the vaccines arrived. This is the time to hold our nerve in the end game against the virus.
"The goal now must be to buy the weeks we need to immunise the most vulnerable and get this virus under control."
The current lockdown was announced on January 4, with Brits told to work from home and schools closed for most pupils.
Latest daily figures showed cases dropped to 20,089 yesterday - the lowest since December 15 and less than a third of the 68,000 cases announced on January 9.
But the UK's death toll remains at a near record seven-day average of 1,241 a day and passed a grim milestone of 100,000 fatalities yesterday.
A new high of more than 4,000 Covid patients are also fighting for their lives on ventilators in the UK.
It comes as:
- The PM has urged the EU to ditch its threat to block vaccine exports
- Summer holidays could be saved in list of Covid quarantine countries
- 'Real danger' some schools could be closed until SUMMER
- A new Covid antibody drug could stop 100% of symptoms
- Common symptoms of the new Covid strain are different to original
Meanwhile, a total of 37,957 Covid patients are currently in hospital across the country.
Mr Johnson told MPs: "If we achieve our target of vaccinating everyone in the four most vulnerable groups, with their first dose by February 15, and every passing day sees more progress towards that goal.
"Then those groups that have developed immunity from the virus about three weeks later, that is, by the March 8, we hope it will therefore be safe to begin the reopening of schools from Monday, March 8.
"With other economical and social restrictions being removed then or thereafter as and when the data permits."
The high death rate and strain on NHS hospitals have convinced government scientists a longer lockdown is needed to drive down case numbers and deaths while the UK continues its vaccination rollout.
During yesterday's Downing Street press conference, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty had warned that falling case numbers should not mean measures are relaxed too early.
He said: "Office for National Statistics data demonstrates a rather slower decrease, and we need to be careful not to relax too early.
"It is still at a very high level throughout the country and NHS staff are working incredibly hard with many very sick patients."
Prof Whitty warned the UK "will see a lot more deaths over the next few weeks" before the vaccinations programme takes effect.
The PM had hinted earlier this week that some measures may be relaxed ahead of the end of lockdown, specifically referring to the closure of schools.
He said: "Now this massive achievement has been made of rolling out this vaccination programme, I think people want to see us making sure we don't throw that away by having a premature relaxation and then another big surge of infection.
"We'll be deciding before then whether we'll be getting schools back, but daily we're looking at data and deciding when we'll be looking to lift restrictions."
The government initially set a mid-February target to review measures as it vaccinated 13.5m of the most vulnerable Brits.
The UK is already halfway towards meeting the target, with nearly 7 million Brits having been given at least one jab.
The rollout has raced ahead of European neighbours, with the UK injecting more people in three days last week than France has in total.
The PM yesterday mourned the "appalling and tragic loss of life" which has seen the UK surpass a 100,000 death toll.
He said: "I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one.
"We'll come together as a nation to remember everyone we've lost, and to honour the selfless heroism of all those on the frontline who gave their lives to save others.
"As Prime Minister I take full responsibility for everything this Government has done."
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The move to extend lockdown coincides with tighter border measures meaning people entering the UK from a number of high-risk countries will have to stay in quarantine hotels on arrival.
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The rules will include South Africa and Brazil where new strains have emerged, alongside Portugal, and the Cape Verde Islands.
But summer holiday favourites, like Spain, France and Greece will be exempt.
