Boris Johnson announcement: What did the PM say in his speech today, Monday, July 5?

THE Prime Minister gave the public and businesses a better idea of what to expect from Freedom Day - July 19.

Social distancing, working from home and compulsory face masks are among the measures that will be scrapped on ‘Freedom Day’. But what did the PM say? Below is everything you need to know...

🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates

What time was Boris Johnson's speech today, Monday, July 5?

The press conference started today at 5pm.

Boris Johnson was flanked by medical experts when delivering his updates.

What did the PM say?

The PM opened his press conference by saying that the pandemic is far from over and won't be over by 19th July.

A final decision on whether to press ahead with lockdown lifting in two weeks will be made on July 12, but the PM said he expects to go ahead with it as planned.

He said: "We are seeing hospital admissions rise and there will be more deaths. We paused the rollout of step 4 to get more jabs in people's arms".

He added: "By July 19, every adult will have had a chance to receive the first dose and two-thirds will have received the second. The vaccines are successful."

He also explained: "We must balance the risk of disease, although not eliminated, and the balance of legally enforced restrictions.

We must be honest that if we can't reopen in the next few weeks, we must ask ourselves when will be able to return to normal."

He then set out the five-point plan. Speaking at the conference, the PM said: "Let me set out or five-point plan for living with Covid, in the hope it will give people time to prepare.

"We will control from tools such as legal restrictions and allow people to make their own decisions.

"No legal limits on people meeting indoors and outdoors. We will open all businesses such as nightclubs.

"We will end one metre plus rule, and the legal obligation to wear a face covering".

In a showering of freedoms on July 19, the PM confirmed tonight:

• Hefty fines for refusing to wear a mask indoors will be dropped - but coverings will still be recommended for crowded spaces
• All legal limits restricting social contact will be torn up, such as the rule of six or rule of 30 outside
• Work from home guidance will be dropped in favour of firms' discretion
• Strict caps on care home visitors will be ditched - but PPE will stay
• Under 40s will get their second jab after eight weeks, down from 12
• The one metre plus social distancing rule will be binned - except for ports and for people who have Covid

When was Boris Johnson's last announcement?

His last announcement was a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who was visiting the UK on July 2.

Speaking at a press conference alongside the PM at Chequers, she said: "We are continuously reviewing our travel restrictions.

"In the foreseeable future, those who have received double jabs will be able to travel again without having to go into quarantine.

She added: "We adopted certain protective measures when we were not as yet so familiar with a Delta variant.

"We now see the share of the delta variant in Germany is increasing very rapidly."

Boris replied: "That's great and that's right, it sounds as though progress is being made."

In a major olive branch on the eve of the meeting Mrs Merkel announced she's set to ease travel curbs on Brits entering Germany.

The UK will be downgraded from a "virus area of concern" - the highest bracket of restrictions - to one of "high incidence".

That will cut the mandatory quarantine visitors from the UK have to observe from two weeks to as little as five days.

How can I watch it live?

The press conference was broadcast live at the top of this story and on our .

You could also watch the live broadcast on the .

You can also keep up to date on what is being said at the press conference by following our coronavirus live blog, for live updates on the briefing.