HOL YES!
Boris Johnson confirms he will make big summer holiday announcement next week
BORIS Johnson has confirmed that he will make a huge announcement about summer holidays next week.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing street's new media centre today, the PM confirmed that the plans will be unveiled on April 5, Easter Monday.
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Outdoor reunions with up to six family and friends, plus the return of organised sport and weddings, resumed today in a huge boost to the public mood.
PM Boris Johnson has lifted the stay-at-home guidance to allow groups of up to six, or two households, to meet outside in England.
Today the PM said that the announcement about travelling abroad will be made next week.
When asked about whether Brits would be able to travel abroad to see their families, Johnson said that the most important thing for the UK was to continue to vaccinate people in "great numbers" and that he would be saying more "on April 5 about what the global travel taskforce has come up with."
Last week the PM said "no decisions have been taken" yet on what might happen with vaccine passports.
He suggested people may need to show a negative test, proof they have had the virus, or a vaccine stamp - but refused to be drawn on what it would be for except for foreign holidays.
But when asked again if people might need a vaccine passport for the pub, he said: "All sorts of things are being considered, it's premature to start talking about that."
But he hinted last Thursday that the vaccine passport plan might not come in until everyone has been offered a vaccination.
Although international travel is currently not allowed, some holiday companies and countries have already begun discussing plans for visitors.
Boozers may also have to show proof of a jab or a recent negative test to get a pint under plans dubbed "papers for the pub".
More than 28million Brits have now received a Covid vaccine - boosting hopes the UK will return to normal by June when lockdown lifts.
But with pubs re-opening from April 12, Boris threw a spanner in the works when he suggested it “may be up to the landlord” whether punters will need to show proof they have had the jab.
He added: “The concept of vaccine certification should not be totally alien to us.”
But MPs and pub bosses hit back - saying it could hamper the recovery and would discriminate against people who may not be able to have the jab.
Ministers are considering allowing bars and big events to abandon tough rules if they operate coronavirus 'status checks' though.
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Struggling pubs have already spent millions on implementing social distancing measures - including arrows and space markers on floors and ensuring tables were set out with a two-metre distance between groups.
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Greg Mulholland, chairman of the British Pub Confederation, said: “For the Government to abdicate responsibility and ask pubs to make a moral judgment — it’s just not acceptable.
“On top of having to take on extra staff to serve people at tables, the idea pubs can take on staff to act as door staff for vaccine passports is absurd.”
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Boris Johnson suggests vaccine certificates might not come into play until AFTER all people get a vaccine
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