The Prime Minister will host a press conference this afternoon
(Monday 10th May), to confirm a further easing of
Covid restrictions.
Step 3 of the Roadmap is expected to begin from May
17th, as the latest data confirms the government’s
“four tests” for easing covid restrictions have been met.
A Covid-O meeting and Cabinet call will be held this morning to
agree Step 3 measures. The latest data and scientific modelling
suggests that Step 3 easements are unlikely to risk a resurgence
in infections that would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
The four tests are:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in
reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which
would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
- Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by
new Variants of Concern.
Over 50 million vaccine doses have been administered in the UK
and we remain on track to offer all adults a first dose by the
end of July.
35.2 million people have now received at least one dose, and 17.2
million people have received both doses and the strongest
protection available. Further data is expected to be published
later today on vaccine efficacy.
Infection rates are at the lowest level since September, and
hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to
decrease, or plateau at low levels in some areas, with levels
similar to July last year. ONS estimates show that 1 in 1,180
people have COVID-19, down from 1 in 480 at the start of April.
Our extensive border control regime, surge testing and community
testing are effective ways of finding and isolating new cases of
variants, and will continue to be deployed.
The Prime Minister is expected to express his gratitude to the
public for the strength they have shown and the sacrifices they
have made to get this virus under control.
Prime Minister said:
“The data reflects what we already knew - we are not
going to let this virus beat us. The Roadmap remains on track,
our successful vaccination programme continues – more than
two-thirds of adults in the UK have now had the first vaccine –
and we can now look forward to unlocking cautiously but
irreversibly.
“It’s because of the British public’s unwavering
commitment that we are saving lives, protecting the NHS and
controlling the virus.”
