COVID UPDATE
Boris Johnson announcement: What did the Prime Minister say in his speech today, Monday, February 15?
BORIS JOHNSON provided the nation with another update on the coronavirus pandemic from Downing Street this evening.
The Prime Minister addressed the public regarding the latest around the Covid vaccine rollout and the way out of the national lockdown.
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What did Boris Johnson say in the press briefing?
Boris Johnson revealed that the UK has "powered past" the Covid vaccine target that was set.
The Prime Minister that although "over 90% of people over 70 have been vaccinated", the majority of hospital patients with coronavirus are under that age.
He added that despite the rollout success, there is still not enough data around the spread of infection, saying that there remains more people in hospital now than at the peak.
But in good news, Boris said that letters have been sent for the next million people to offer appointments to have the Covid vaccine.
He revealed that all over-65s are being contacted along with everyone from ages 16-64 that has underlying health conditions and adult carers.
The PM said: "If we can keep this pace up and I believe we can, we hope to offer everyone in the first nine priority groups, including everyone over 50, by the end of April."
Mr Johnson clarified that he will be setting out a "roadmap" next week, detailing as much as they can "about the route to normality".
He said: "We want this lockdown to be the last and we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible."
But the Prime Minister went onto say that he could not give any guarantees regarding the relaxation of restrictions, remarking: "We're battling with nature, with a disease that is capable of mutating and changing.
"I am increasingly confident [and] optimistic about the sheer extent of the possibilities that are opening up with vaccinations.
"I'll be setting out as much of a timetable as we can give on the 22nd."
And Mr Johnson refused to acknowledge reports that schools would be reopening on March 8, saying: "I would humbly advise anyone reading accounts of what we're going to do in the course of the next few months with a pinch of salt because this is still speculation."
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When was Boris Johnson's announcement today?
The Prime Minister spoke from No10 this evening with the latest on the Covid pandemic.
Boris Johnson's press briefing began at 5pm at Downing Street.
He was joined by NHS chief Simon Stevens and Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty.
Brits able to meet up for coffee and schools to reopen as Boris Johnson announces Covid lockdown exit strategy
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