GREEN LIGHT
Calls to SPEED UP lockdown exit after alert level drops and ‘excellent’ data
CALLS have been made to speed up the UK's exit from lockdown after the Covid alert level dropped today amid "excellent" data.
It comes a week before the biggest restriction relaxation yet - with hugs allowed - but experts say the roadmap should be accelerated.
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This morning, health minister Nadine Dorries said the country is now "in a really good position" thanks to the vaccine rollout and mass testing.
She declared "it does look as though the roadmap is on course", but stressed restrictions will be eased "with caution, ensuring the data is in place".
The minister hinted dates earmarked to relax rules could be brought forward after being questioned on the government's aim of following "data not dates", now that the data is looking good.
However this evening Prime Minister said the key dates of May 17 and June 21 for the next steps on the roadmap would not be brought forward.
When questioned about moving the latter date forward, he said: "I think it's very important that we should proceed cautiously, but as I said many times now hopefully irreversibly.
"The secret of the success that we have had so far is that we have been guided by the data and we've given time to see the effect of each stage of the roadmap."
It comes as new Public Health England data show two shots of the Pfizer jab slash the risk of Covid death by 97 per cent.
The upbeat UK findings reflect similar results from Israel last week showing the real-world impact of mass vaccination.
'STRONG POSITION'
And for the first time, PHE has confirmed that one dose of the AstraZeneca jab cuts a person’s chances of being killed by Covid by 80 per cent. The figure is the same for a single shot of Pfizer vaccine.
MPs and scientists have been pushing for a quicker return to normality following such great progress, with Professor Carl Heneghan, director at the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford, one of them.
He told The Telegraph: "I think at some point we've got to get back to a normality and see what happens. And we want to do that when it's summer and infections are low."
And Professor Sir John Bell said the nation is now in a "very strong position" to move forward with the easing of restrictions which will enable people to "try and get back to normal".
A third of the country has now had two jabs, the Prime Minister revealed yesterday, giving those calling for a faster end to lockdown a stronger position.
Mrs Dorries was asked whether the positive data on numbers of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths might even mean the PM could speed up the final exit from lockdown on June 21.
She replied: "And I hope the PM will be making a positive announcement this afternoon, I'm sure it will be, and it will be based on the data."
MP Steve Baker from the Recovery Group told Times Radio: "I think we need to get on with trusting vaccines on the basis of science and data and living a normal life, because my goodness we've got a load of problems to solve."
The move to decrease the Covid alert level indicates the data is encouraging, with pressures on the NHS having "fallen consistently", and deaths dropping.
Professor Chris Whitty told the nation at a No 10 briefing this evening he didn't expect the NHS would face a third wave, thanks to vaccines and falling rates of the virus.
Experts agreed the record-breaking vaccine rollout has dramatically helped the country beat back Covid, with the threat no longer as great.
UK health chiefs said today: "Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3.
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Level 3 means the "epidemic is in general circulation", and transmission is no longer "high or rising exponentially".
“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently.
"However Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant. This remains a major pandemic globally.
“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”
It comes as Dr David Nabarro, special envoy on Covid-19 for the World Health Organisation, told Sky News: "I'm pleased with the reality that people are being quite cautious, perhaps even a little bit afraid, of what this virus might bring.
"But I think, at the same time, we've got to get on with life, and we can't go on mothballing ourselves forever.
"So, finding a way to restart, despite this fear, is what I think we will have to do.
Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently.
UK health chiefs
The Government's threat level decrease follows the NHS Covid emergency alert level downgrade in March - when it was moved from four to three.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive for the NHS, confirmed the positive news on March 25, as the country bounced back from the second wave.
In November the NHS moved to its highest alert level as Covid posed an "existential threat".
This afternoon Boris Johnson announced Brits starved of embraces for over a year will be allowed to hug each other when the next stage of lockdown lifts on May 17.
But he told Brits to be responsible with who they have close contact with, and be aware of vulnerable loved ones.
He was joined by England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, Downing Street has confirmed.
At the moment anyone who doesn't live together is advised to keep at least 1.5 metres away from others to stop the spread of the virus.
'VERY CONSIDERABLE STEP'
Today the PM confirmed that from May 17, people will finally be able to meet their loved ones inside their homes again.
He said: "We met our four tests for further easing in lockdown in England.
"The data now supports moving to step 3 in England from next Monday, the 17th of May.
"This means the rule of six two households outdoors will now apply indoors.
"This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and I am confident that we will go further."
Despite the promising data he said June 21 remains the next date on the roadmap for more restrictions to be lifted.
He added: "Today we are taking a step towards that moment where we learn to live responsibly with Covid."
It means groups of six or fewer - or two households - will be allowed to meet indoors.
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The last relaxation of rules in April gave the thumbs up to pubs and restaurants opening up - but only for service outside.
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But from next week they will be able to fling their doors back open and welcome customers back inside.
Mr Johnson is also going to confirm changes to the Rule of Six, holidays, funerals and weddings.
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