this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. a traffic light system for foreign travel is expected to be unveiled when borisjohnson sets out his plans to further ease the lockdown in england in the next hour. countries reliant on tourism like greece are preparing for the summer holiday season — but with rising cases, they don't know when they can open, or which tourists will be able to visit. from this friday everyone in england will have access to two free rapid tests a week, as part of an expansion of the coronavirus testing programme. this is the scene live at downing street,

where the prime minister will lead today's briefing at 5pm — he'll be joined by england's chief medical officer chris whitty and the government's chief scientific advisor sir patrick vallance. hairdressers, homeware shops and garden centres are reopening in scotland, as covid restrictions are eased. good afternoon and welcome to a bbc news special ahead of a government briefing on coronavirus. the prime minister borisjohnson is expected to announce whether hairdressers, gyms, pubs with outdoor areas and non—essential shops will be allowed to open in england

in a week's time as planned. members of the cabinet are meeting today and are expected to approve this next stage in easing the lockdown. the prime minister will also say more about proposals regarding foreign travel. here's our political correspondent, helen catt. secondary school children are already used to being regularly tested for coronavirus. from friday the government wants everyone in england to do the same. it will offer two free lateral flow tests every week to everyone. they could be through work, community testing centres, from pharmacies or sent directly to your home. the regular testing is designed to pick up people who have the virus but don't have symptoms. alongside the vaccine roll—out, it's part of the government's strategy to open up again. it's one of the key elements that will help us keep track of this disease. people self—isolate when they have a positive test so we keep that disease under

control and it allows us to get on with opening up in a safe way our economy and our country again. for now, unlocking england looks on track. it's expected the prime minister will confirm later that shops, hairdressers and gyms can reopen next monday as hoped. pubs and restaurants will again be able to serve customers outdoors. he is also expected to outline some of what is being looked at in the longer term, such as the controversial possibility of covid status certificates, vaccine passports. under the plans, you would have to prove that you had been vaccinated, or had a recent negative test, or actually had coronavirus in the last six months and so had some immunity. for now, these covid passports would be used for big sports events or music festivals. they won't be needed for public transport or shops, or in pubs to start with, although it's not been ruled out down the line. i have reservations, the labour party have got reservations around the introduction of vaccine passports. we have an amazing take—up of the vaccine.

it's being rolled out incredibly successfully by the nhs, it's not totally clear to me that we need a sledgehammer to crack a nut here. a0 conservative mps have already said they are opposed to the certificates. so there is likely to be a political row to play out yet. for now, though, the next step on the road map looks to be on course. helen catt, bbc news. our health correspondent laura foster says close attention will be paid to the data. alongside the data, the government has this checklist. on it, four things, all conditions that they've got to meet in order to lift restrictions further. so the first thing is that the vaccination programme has to be going well. and so far more than half the uk population has been vaccinated. 5 million people have had their second jab, so that is looking good. point two is that there has to be evidence that the vaccines are reducing the number of people getting seriously ill with covid and dying with it. and we have seen lots of early research so far confirming this.

moreover, over the last few weeks we've seen the number of deaths and hospital admissions falling, so that all looks good. although it's not clear how much it is due to lockdown and how much is due to the vaccines. the third point, we need to make sure any infection rates do not mean more people coming to the hospital. this is all about protecting the nhs and making sure that if you get ill, there is someone who can treat you. finally the checks to make sure that no new variants have appeared which could scupper everything i havejust listed. so jeopardising the vaccination programme for the nhs. so the government and scientists have been looking at this for weeks but it is only later today that we will hear exactly what they want to do in light of it all. we hope we will get exact details at five o'clock. so today, the prime minister will also give details of a "traffic light" system for restarting international travel. our transport correspondent, caroline davies, looks at how it could work. from the engine to the seats and every last screw, preparing for international

travel takes time. ever since the prime minister mentioned the 17th of may as the first date when international travel could start from england, many in the travel industry began gearing up ready for then. while work is underway here at luton airport and across the uk, scotland, wales and northern ireland are yet to commit to a date. the industry is crossing its fingers that international travel will restart. the thing we need to hear is that travel is going to be back open. we are all trying to reopen, the uk, the economy, and travel is an intrinsic part of that. all our teams are getting ready for restart. we believe and we hope that the 17th will be possible. we think with our amazing vaccination programme and the greater provision of testing, we think we should be able to get going. today, the prime minister will announce that when international travel does restart, there will be a traffic—light system. anyone from england will be able to travel back from green countries without needing to quarantine,

although they will still need to test before they travel and once more when they arrive in the uk. those travelling from amber countries will need all of these tests and require people to quarantine at home on arrival for ten days, although if they pay for an extra test on the fifth day and it's negative, they can leave quarantine early. only uk residents will be allowed in from red countries, and they will need to pay for quarantine at a hotel, as well as taking these tests. this is a new testing centre set up at luton airport. the company behind it is expanding its capacity at other airports, too. tests will still need to be paid for by the passenger and they can be expensive. what we are hopeful for is we will start to see, as more countries get vaccinated, as that risk of infection reduces, that actually the number of tests you have to take will change, and the type of test that you have to take. obviously, the pcr test is the more complicated, the more expensive test. the lateral flow can be at a much reduced cost. so our view is, hopefully,

we can work with governments to enable it to be a lower cost of testing. exactly when international travel will be allowed is still not confirmed. the 17th of may could get pushed back. the next big question is where we will be able to go. some countries around the world, like israel and the us, have a high vaccination rate, while others like france are lagging behind. it's likely that will be a big factor in deciding which countries we can travel to. and how will all this paperwork be processed? even with small numbers of travellers, there have been long queues at the border. the hope is this will be streamlined or put on an app, in time. there are still a lot of questions about when international travel will get moving again. caroline davies, bbc news. i'm joined now by our business correspondent katy austin. we think perhaps for understandable reasons there is a lot riding on this because people will be watching

who have family members who live abroad and they have not seen for a long time and the question of international travel is important to so many people. find international travel is important to so many maple-— international travel is important to so many people. international travel is important to soman --eole. , so many people. and some answers we will aet so many people. and some answers we will get today — so many people. and some answers we will get today and _ so many people. and some answers we will get today and some _ so many people. and some answers we will get today and some answers - so many people. and some answers we will get today and some answers we - will get today and some answers we won't put one thing we will hear is that they will be this traffic light system with red, amber and green all based on risk which countries for example have the better vaccine well at progress and infection rates, whether there are new variants and that will dictate which list they end up on in terms of the destination. we don't yet know which countries will be on which list to begin with or indeed whether we will know and actually dates other thing they still most uncertainty around so even if we know under the road map for england, the 17th of may is the earliest possible date for international leisure travel or travel for reasons that are not currently permitted will be soon because going on holiday is still illegal, remember. but we do not

expect to get clarification today on whether the 17th of may will be the start date, it could be pushed back or not but we not expecting dear clarity on that. so to is much more about the kind of framework and rules that will be in place to make it happen when it happens. so still hard for people — it happen when it happens. so still hard for people to _ it happen when it happens. so still hard for people to plan _ it happen when it happens. so still hard for people to plan and - it happen when it happens. so still| hard for people to plan and perhaps risky still to book. we have been reflecting on some business is opening up today in scotland, we will hear much more from boris johnson at five o'clock about the route for england next week, something that business owners are desperately hoping for from a financial perspective. if desperately hoping for from a financial perspective.- desperately hoping for from a financial perspective. if you are a nonessential _ financial perspective. if you are a nonessential business _ financial perspective. if you are a nonessential business in - financial perspective. if you are a nonessential business in england financial perspective. if you are a . nonessential business in england for example you run a clothes shop or a hairdresser, you will want to hear from the prime minister today that you can open for the 12th of april. there's also hospitality and on the 12th of april it is only outdoor service that we expect to be allowed so that is good for some for example with a beer garden or restaurants

with a beer garden or restaurants with outdoor terraces but it is by no means the whole industry and even those who do have outdoor space, we heard from one pop group who expect only 40% of them to open and that is just because of it not been viable. you can only have a certain number of people with social distancing anyway and then if you only have the outdoor area can you then make the sums add up even with further payments or the support that is in place, is it worth opening is a big question. we even know that to start but at least they will not be what some people are calling vaccine passports or covid the statist certification for nonessential shops and pubs and restaurants. that will not be there to start with but not bewildered in the future. there are conversations going on in government and industry about the best use of that kind of certification in the future. with the government does not want to sit in essential shops or public transport but the future is still a bit grey and unknown in

other areas. i still a bit grey and unknown in other areas.— still a bit grey and unknown in other areas. i think we could be heafina other areas. i think we could be hearing a _ other areas. i think we could be hearing a lot — other areas. i think we could be hearing a lot about _ other areas. i think we could be hearing a lot about vaccine - hearing a lot about vaccine passports in the next hour or so. and there's quite a lot that we still will not know about international travel. countries such as greece rely heavily on tourism — but surging coronavirus cases in many parts of europe means the situation is still uncertain. bethany bell reports from athens. the boats are in the dock waiting for tourists. this man and his team rent out catamarans and yachts for trips to the greek islands. their clients come from the uk, the united states and south africa. april is normally the start of the season, but things are on hold because of the pandemic. greece is hoping to open up to visitors in may, but it's not clear which countries will be ready.

a lot of nations need to agree on specific problems in order to allow people to travel. this uncertainty does not help anyone. on our end, we are doing the best effort possible in order to be ready. and we will be ready when the borders open and we can welcome all guests throughout the world. there are still tough covid restrictions in greece, which has seen a surge of infections. but people are becoming increasingly frustrated. about one in five workers has a job in tourism. they are worried about the summer. the acropolis is open again after months of lockdown. this place would normally be packed with people, but now it's mainly those living locally. and no one is quite sure when the foreign tourists will be able to return. greece is planning to vaccinate all tourism workers and is leading calls for vaccination certificates or passports to allow foreign visitors to travel.

it is very important to have the passport, because everybody will feel really safe. and our model is safety first — for the staff of the archaeological sites and the museums, and of course for the public. after the worst year for global tourism on record, greece is really hoping for a better summer. bethany bell, bbc news, athens. we are waiting for that number ten news briefing to start round about five o'clock. what more might we hear from the prime five o'clock. what more might we hearfrom the prime minister? professor sir mark walport sits on sage, is chief executive of uk research and innovation and is a former government chief scientific adviser.

good afternoon. we have been reflecting on an easing in scotland, hairdressers reopening, and we think we will hear more about an easing next week in england. from your perspective, is that easing, assuming it is announced, is that the right way forward? are we in the right place for that? yes. the right way forward? are we in the right place for that?— right place for that? yes, we seem to be very — right place for that? yes, we seem to be very much — right place for that? yes, we seem to be very much on _ right place for that? yes, we seem to be very much on track _ right place for that? yes, we seem to be very much on track with - right place for that? yes, we seem to be very much on track with the i to be very much on track with the road map to relax the restrictions, and it's important we stay on that so that's why some of these other measures that we will probably, i imagine, here announced are important actually so it is important actually so it is important we keep the transmission down and that's one of the reasons why, if we want to get events open again, people are thinking about what a day pass effectively might look like to enable people to attend densely packed events in auditorium and places like that, and increased testing to try to find people that

are asymptomatic is important as well. so we cannot relax our vigilance. we have only got to look across the channel to france where they have more than 35,000 cases per day at the moment. yes. they have more than 35,000 cases per day at the moment.— day at the moment. yes. we might be able to come — day at the moment. yes. we might be able to come onto _ day at the moment. yes. we might be able to come onto the _ day at the moment. yes. we might be able to come onto the issue _ day at the moment. yes. we might be able to come onto the issue of- able to come onto the issue of overseas travel. i'm interested because you mentioned testing, we think we will hear more about lateral flow tests, people in england able to get one free twice a week. what would be the benefit of that in your opinion, and how reliable are they? the that in your opinion, and how reliable are they? the answer is that no test _ reliable are they? the answer is that no test is _ reliable are they? the answer is that no test is perfect, - reliable are they? the answer is that no test is perfect, and - reliable are they? the answer is| that no test is perfect, and these test may be won't pick up roughly half to two thirds of people infected so it will miss some people but if we can pick up some people who are infected and make sure they isolate and their family are quarantined as well, and test and trace and isolate gets into action, then that will be another factor that reduces transmission. it is important to recognise that although the lateral flow tests themselves

are not perfect, if someone tests positive with one of these at home, then they need to go to test and trace and have one of the sensitive pcr tests performed. if for some reason someone gets a false positive, that will be picked up and they will be able to return quickly to their normal activities. but then it's also about _ to their normal activities. but then it's also about people _ to their normal activities. but then it's also about people reacting - to their normal activities. but then it's also about people reacting in i it's also about people reacting in the way they should. it takes us back to some of the big questions we were asking right at the start of the pandemic, which then becomes a political question about can people afford to isolate if they get a test? perhaps they have no symptoms, they don't realise, then they think, goodness, i'm not supposed to go to work. ., �* , goodness, i'm not supposed to go to work. . �*, , goodness, i'm not supposed to go to work. . �*, ., , , ., work. that's absolutely right, and i think the advice _ work. that's absolutely right, and i think the advice is _ work. that's absolutely right, and i think the advice is always - work. that's absolutely right, and i think the advice is always made - think the advice is always made clear that it is not simply a case of doing a test, it is having the conditions that enable people to do the right thing if a test result comes back positive so that is important. comes back positive so that is important-— comes back positive so that is important. you mentioned the situation in —

important. you mentioned the situation in france. _ important. you mentioned the situation in france. we - important. you mentioned the situation in france. we will. important. you mentioned the i situation in france. we will hear important. you mentioned the . situation in france. we will hear a little, we think, about international travel but the very example you gave reminds or is i assume that easy international travel is surely some way off. to man travel is surely some way off. trr many parts of the world i fear that is the case and the reality is that we recognise there are variants circulating in parts of the world that might confer resistance to the effects of the vaccine, and we need to hold those variants at bay for as long as we possibly can. a lot of work is going on to adapt the vaccine so that by the autumn and the winter there will hopefully be booster doses that can protect against new variants, but we do need to hold them back.— to hold them back. many thanks for our time, to hold them back. many thanks for your time. as _ to hold them back. many thanks for your time, as ever. _ to hold them back. many thanks for your time, as ever. as _ to hold them back. many thanks for your time, as ever. as we - to hold them back. many thanks for your time, as ever. as we edge - to hold them back. many thanks for your time, as ever. as we edge up | to hold them back. many thanks for. your time, as ever. as we edge up to the number ten briefing, let's get some political thoughts in advance. caroline lucas joins

some political thoughts in advance. caroline lucasjoins me, the green party's mp. good afternoon. what would you hope to hear from the prime minister in the next few minutes? to prime minister in the next few minutes? ., , ., , ., ., minutes? to be honest what i would like to hear— minutes? to be honest what i would like to hear is _ minutes? to be honest what i would like to hear is that _ minutes? to be honest what i would like to hear is that he _ minutes? to be honest what i would like to hear is that he will _ like to hear is that he will properly protect our borders. there is this discussion about the traffic light system but right now our borders are so leaky. we have heard in the times newspaper today that may be 8000 tourists are coming in every single day without having any tests at all. we know that a country like france where the south african variant is circulating is still not on the red list so i would like him to put proper border measures in place. secondly, finally, get our test, trace and isolate system properly working. you were talking then about the isolation. people in this country, too many of them still cannot afford to self—isolate so let's make sure we have the system is working properly before we start talking about opening up further. you mentioned testing. we think we

will hear about people being able to get free twice weekly lateral flow tests. do you welcome that? is it helpful? tests. do you welcome that? is it helful? ., , ., ., , ., helpful? not if people cannot afford to self-isolate _ helpful? not if people cannot afford to self-isolate if _ helpful? not if people cannot afford to self-isolate if they _ helpful? not if people cannot afford to self-isolate if they test _ to self—isolate if they test positive. we know from the case study in liverpool last year that actually deprived areas of that city didn't come forward to take that test because they knew that if they did and tested positive, they would not be able to afford to self—isolate. it is unforgivable that so far into this pandemic we do not have a functioning test, trace and critically isolate system. other countries support people to isolate, they give them not only far more financial support but they will visit them every day to make sure they have the food they need, they will offer them hotel accommodation if they are in overcrowded accommodation right now. they will not be offering them the kind of derisory sick pay we have in this country, and they don't put a

million hurdles in the way of people trying to access things like the £500 payment. we need that proper financial support in place. i’m financial support in place. i'm interested — financial support in place. i'm interested as _ financial support in place. i'm interested as well in your thoughts on what is proving politically contentious. people were referring to it already has the —— as the vaccine passport, and we know there is disquiet for example among a sizeable number of conservative mps. do you think that it is an appropriate way forward or is it something you would oppose? fin something you would oppose? on balance i would oppose it as something you would oppose? q�*i balance i would oppose it as well, i think. firstly there is no proven link between vaccination and transmissibility so we don't know whether or not people who have been vaccinated can still transmit covid. that seems to me to be an incredibly important factor to build into this. i do have concerns about mission creep. i think there could be

discrimination. also we shouldn't be using vaccine passport as some way of trying to induce more people to get the vaccination. we should be addressing any concerns people have, using persuasion to get out into the communities that haven't yet had the higher take—up of the vaccinations. i worry about that. what i wish we would do is put the basics in place. the basics are a properly functioning, properly resourced test, trace and isolate system and properly protecting our borders. it is unforgivable that right now people can come into the country so easily without any tests, without any requirement to quarantine, even though on our borders we have so many of the variants circulating. people have made so many sacrifices over the past year—and—a—half. the idea all of that could be put at risk by this incompetent government i think is unforgivable.— i think is unforgivable. a-line lucas mp, — i think is unforgivable. a-line lucas mp, thank _ i think is unforgivable. a-line lucas mp, thank you. - i think is unforgivable. a-line lucas mp, thank you. in - i think is unforgivable. a-line lucas mp, thank you. in fact | lucas mp, thank you. in fact caroline lucas mentioned the article

you might have seen in the times, talking about tourists coming into the uk. i should say the home office put out a statement about that piece this morning. we don't recognise the figures in the article, says the home "we are enforcing tough measures at the border for the small amount of people coming into the uk including those entering on a visitor visa for legitimate reasons." it then goes on to talk about the restrictions in place for people coming from various countries. but let's stay with politics and discuss what else we might hear coming up at five o'clock. the liberal democrat leader is sir ed davey. good afternoon. your thoughts on what you feel boris johnson good afternoon. your thoughts on what you feel borisjohnson should be laying out this evening? i what you feel boris johnson should be laying out this evening?- be laying out this evening? i think the whole country _ be laying out this evening? i think the whole country wants - be laying out this evening? i think the whole country wants to - be laying out this evening? i think the whole country wants to hear l be laying out this evening? i think. the whole country wants to hear from the whole country wants to hear from the prime minister a detailed plan about how we will open up our economy, our society, and do it

safely. liberal democrats for the last year have been talking about a proper test, trace and isolate plan and that has just not been delivered by the government. they keep promising it and failed to deliver it. if he announces it now, it's better late than never but it is crucial to tackling the pandemic and it will be crucial to opening up. the borders issue carolinejust raised is critical. the real threat to our recovery comes from another variant of the virus coming from another country. if we are not tackling that at our borders, we are failing to open up our domestic economy which is so crucial so we need a detailed plan. in economy which is so crucial so we need a detailed plan.— need a detailed plan. in terms of o enin: need a detailed plan. in terms of opening up _ need a detailed plan. in terms of opening up the — need a detailed plan. in terms of opening up the domestic - need a detailed plan. in terms of. opening up the domestic economy, need a detailed plan. in terms of- opening up the domestic economy, we have seen some easing today in scotland and we will hear about england in a few minutes' time. are you content the health situation, the scientific situation is robust sufficiently at the moment that we should indeed start opening up

businesses? i should indeed start opening up businesses?— should indeed start opening up businesses? ~ . . businesses? i think all the evidence is auoin businesses? i think all the evidence is going very _ businesses? i think all the evidence is going very much _ businesses? i think all the evidence is going very much in _ businesses? i think all the evidence is going very much in the _ businesses? i think all the evidence is going very much in the right - is going very much in the right direction. as we have seen before, we can't take risks with people's health and lives because if we do, that will actually mean we have to reverse any opening up which would be a catastrophe. we have been right to have some degree of caution but where i have been really worried about the government's is in putting forward a proper test, trace and isolate system. we may hear about testing from the government but their tracing has been poor. only when its been using local government and public health teams has tracing been effective. then there is isolate, the crucial missing part of the jigsaw. isolate, the crucial missing part of thejigsaw. when people test positive, they are not given the support and they know that so sometimes they don't even take the test in the first place. if we are going to have a proper test, trace and isolate system, we have to make sure the government will be there with wages who —— for people who

can't work and may isolate hotels so that people feel they will not infect their family and friends. we need a better, comprehensive solution and the government had failed to do that. if they do that today, the liberal democrats will be happy. today, the liberal democrats will be ha-- . �* today, the liberal democrats will be ha . _ �* ., today, the liberal democrats will be ha-- . �* ., ., , happy. and final thoughts, the same . uestion happy. and final thoughts, the same ruestion i happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask _ happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask her _ happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask her a _ happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask her a line _ happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask her a line lucas, - happy. and final thoughts, the same question i ask her a line lucas, but l question i ask her a line lucas, but would you oppose or support the idea of vaccine passport? for international— of vaccine passport? for international travel, - of vaccine passport? fr?" international travel, find, of vaccine passport? fr?" internationaltravel, find, because international travel, find, because other countries may require them but i have serious concerns about covid id cards where so—called passports had to be produced domestically for people going about their every day business. such an id card is unnecessary, it would be frankly unworkable. and what is really clear is that other countries who haven't even had a vaccine roll—out like us have opened up safely without

so—called id cards. liberal democrats believe that as we defeat this virus we should be getting our freedoms back, not giving away more to the government. there is a creeping authoritarianism about this conservative government, so many freedoms have been taken away, the last thing we need now is to have even more taken away. 5ir last thing we need now is to have even more taken away.— last thing we need now is to have even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank ou even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank you for— even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank you for now, _ even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank you for now, leader— even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank you for now, leader of - even more taken away. sir ed davey, thank you for now, leader of the - thank you for now, leader of the liberal democrats. edging up to that news conference so let's chew over some thoughts with chris mason. creeping authoritarianism is what sir ed davey was saying. there is concern in different political parties potentially about this. yes. parties potentially about this. yes, and a big element _ parties potentially about this. yes, and a big element of— parties potentially about this. 1a: and a big element of the politics of the next couple of months, as such world england starts to reopen, is the tricky balance between doing that, doing it safely as far as the epidemiology is concerned, but doing it in a way that for parliamentarians is comfortable around our liberties. we are beginning to see more opposition. we

heard from the liberal democrats, there is a solid bunch of conservative mps who are concerned as well. labour expressing their concern a little more likely at the moment, not committing themselves 100% to opposition around these covid certification certificates, vaccine passports as they are more commonly known, but they are not particularly keen on them either. from the prime minister's perspective this afternoon we have this matinee trio of the prime minister, professor chris whitty and the chief medical officer patrick vallance, the chief scientific adviser doing their conference. two big things, one is fulfilling the promise that a week before any unlocking stage in the road map as they call it for england, that they will give seven days' noted. that will give seven days' noted. that will be today and they will say step two will happen a week today on the 12th of april, the reopening of shops that remain closed and pubs and restaurants having people

outside. then sketching out a vision for how society might operate practically when there is further liberalisation a bit further down the track, not least this idea of the track, not least this idea of the traffic light system for foreign travel. the thing is though, what we will get today, effectively, is the car dealer saying look at these gleaming wheels but by the way there is no petrol in it. in other words we will get the traffic lights but the only question that really matters is i want to go to country x injuly, which colour will it be? the answer is none until we have data closer to the hoped—for opening update of the 17th of may, then you can't make thatjudgment yet. so we will get lots of detail around proposed rules on travel without being able to answer the only question that for of viewer really matters. �* , ., question that for of viewer really matters. �* ,., ,, question that for of viewer really matters. ~ ,., i. ., question that for of viewer really matters. ~ ., ., ,, ., matters. also you are talking about the practical _ matters. also you are talking about the practical side _ matters. also you are talking about the practical side of _ matters. also you are talking about the practical side of it. _ matters. also you are talking about the practical side of it. i _ matters. also you are talking about the practical side of it. i wanted - the practical side of it. i wanted to ask about the economic side of it

as well because we all think with a glint in our eye, goodness, can we sit ina glint in our eye, goodness, can we sit in a pub garden on a sunny day, actually can that afford to operate? because if it is still only allowed let's say 40% capacity because that's all they can fit in their garden and socially distance, does the maths add up? and who will help financially if not? we are moving helpfully out of the phase where as difficult as it might be people accept that sways of the economy are just closed. once you come into a position where you can open up but there are covid medications and perhaps limits on capacity, the same will kick in with indoor venues in the opening weeks of indoor venues being able to open but at much less than their full capacity, we will have those questions. capacity, we will have those questions-— capacity, we will have those ruestions. �*, ., , ., ., questions. let's go straight to number ten. _ questions. let's go straight to number ten. i _

questions. let's go straight to number ten. i know - questions. let's go straight to number ten. i know that - questions. let's go straight to number ten. i know that over j questions. let's go straight to - number ten. i know that over this weekend millions _ number ten. i know that over this weekend millions of— number ten. i know that over this weekend millions of people - number ten. i know that over this weekend millions of people have i number ten. i know that over this - weekend millions of people have been able to see loved ones for the first time in months. i want to thank you all again for your patience because it is really clear now that this is paying off and it is your collective efforts that have given us the crucial time and space to vaccinate more than 31 million people and i'm pleased that we've also been able to support our overseas territories so that gibraltar has become the first place in the world, one of the best places to offer vaccination to its entire adult population. on the net result of your efforts and of course with the vaccine roll—out is that today i can confirm that from monday the 12th of april we will move to the 12th of april we will move to the second step of our roadmap. we happening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, hairdressers and of

course be gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds. and on monday the 12th i will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips. we are also increasing the number of visitors to care homes from one visitor to to visitors to allow residents to see more of their loved ones. we think these changes are fully justified loved ones. we think these changes are fullyjustified by loved ones. we think these changes are fully justified by the data. that shows where meeting i test for easing lockdown as chris will shortly explain. but i will say this, we cannot be complacent. we can see the waves of sickness afflicting other countries and we have seen how this story goes. we still do not know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise as i'm afraid that they will and that is why we are saying please get your vaccine or your second dose in your turn comes.

and please use the free nhs trusts evenif and please use the free nhs trusts even if you don't feel ill because remember, one in three people with this virus doesn't have any symptoms. and you can get these tests from your pharmacy or your local test site. you can even order them and get home delivery. as part of our road map we are also publishing today the early thinking on our four reviews on the return of outdoor events and the potential role of covid statist certification and on the resumption of international travel. we set out our road map and we are sticking to it. and i want to stress that we see nothing in the present data that

makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map. but it is by being cautious and monitoring the data at every stage and by following the rules remembering hands, face, space and fresh air that we have that together we can make this road map to freedom irreversible. thank you very much and we will go to chris for the slides. , , ., slides. first slide, the government set out 20 tests _ slides. first slide, the government set out 20 tests and _ slides. first slide, the government set out 20 tests and they - slides. first slide, the government set out 20 tests and they lay - slides. first slide, the government set out 20 tests and they lay out i set out 20 tests and they lay out some of the data that lie behind the decision that the tests have been met. the first test was the vaccine deployment programme continuing successfully and i think as everyone has seen in the past weeks that the vaccine are being rolled out by the nhs at a remarkable rate. continuing to do so. over 31 million individuals have had theirfirst dose and we are now in a situation

where people at highest risk and are beginning to get the second dose. over 5.4 million have received a second dose. so the first dose in around 60% of the adult population at this point in time. so at this stage that is heading very much in the right direction. next slide, please. the second question was whether there is evidence that vaccines are sufficient to actually reduce hospitalisation and death in people vaccinated and we had the original clinical trials all of which were reassuring and on both of the vaccines we currently have and those we may get later in the year but we need to see how things work in practice and looking at the data from people who have been vaccinated in the four nations of the united kingdom consistently without a significant reduction in people with symptomatic disease, estimated at around 60% give or take. and for

people having hospitalisations with more severe disease around an 80% reduction from the first dose. that makes two points, first of these vaccines are highly effective and secondly that they are not completely effective and that is essential that everyone as the prime minister said who has called for a second booster dose goes to take that offer up because it will increase the level of protection and almost certainly increase the duration of protection as well. next slide, please. the third test was that infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the nhs. and here you can see the number of people in hospital with covid in the uk and these have been falling steadily now from the peak and they are continuing to fall. that is really excellent news because obviously hospitalisations then translate into people with long—term problems and deaths. alongside this the number of people who are dying has also been steadily

decreasing and at a faster rate than happened in the first peak and that they will be because of a combination of the lockdown measures that everyone in the country has been involved in and done such a remarkablejob been involved in and done such a remarkable job with plus the effects of the vaccine on top of that which led to even faster reduction in mortality. the average number of deaths at the moment is running at around 47 deaths per day and has been lower numbers reported over the easter weekend. 47 a day on average down from a peak of around 1300 earlier in the year. next slide, please. the final test is our assessment of the risks not being fundamentally changed by new variants of concern. and throughout this right from the beginning we have said that we do expect there to be variance of concern along the way and some of those potentially maybe ones that are more able to escape the vaccine so this is going to be a

continuing issue. if you look at the numbers here in the uk of good testing capacity in uk, some of the best in the world at the moment, and so we have a high degree of confidence in our capacity to test for variance. confidence in our capacity to test forvariance. if confidence in our capacity to test for variance. if you look at the top line, the variant which is the dominant variant in the uk at the moment, over170,000 dominant variant in the uk at the moment, over 170,000 confirmed cases. the next one down, the south african variant, it may of course have come from somewhere else, the first number confirmed there is a much smaller number at 469. in that proportion has stayed steady over time so there is no evidence that this is increasing. however we are picking up more cases because of testing at the borders so as people coming and tested and some people i

found to have variance then much smaller numbers again for two of the other variants that we are concerned about. one first described from brazil and one of which first described here in england. so at the moment although variance of consent remain an issue there is no reason to feel that this fundamentally changes our position as we've always known that this was a risk. so those of the of course a lot of other data but these are just a snapshot of some of the data we have to support the government giving that these tests are been met.— tests are been met. patrick, anything _ tests are been met. patrick, anything to _ tests are been met. patrick, anything to add? _ tests are been met. patrick, anything to add? let's - tests are been met. patrick, anything to add? let's go i tests are been met. patrick, anything to add? let's go to j anything to add? let's go to catherine from basingstoke. when will residents _ catherine from basingstoke. when will residents of _ catherine from basingstoke. when will residents of care _ catherine from basingstoke. when will residents of care homes - catherine from basingstoke. when will residents of care homes many of whom _ will residents of care homes many of whom have _ will residents of care homes many of whom have not — will residents of care homes many of whom have not been _ will residents of care homes many of whom have not been outside - will residents of care homes many of whom have not been outside in - will residents of care homes many of whom have not been outside in over| will residents of care homes many ofi whom have not been outside in over a year be _ whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed — whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out _ whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out for _ whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out for a _ whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out for a walk- whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out for a walk or - whom have not been outside in over a year be allowed out for a walk or a - year be allowed out for a walk or a social— year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance _ year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance visit _ year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance visit to _ year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance visit to a _ year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance visit to a cafe - year be allowed out for a walk or a social distance visit to a cafe or. social distance visit to a cafe or pub garden? _ social distance visit to a cafe or pub garden? i'm _ social distance visit to a cafe or pub garden? i'm asking - social distance visit to a cafe or pub garden? i'm asking this. social distance visit to a cafe or pub garden? i'm asking this on| pub garden? i'm asking this on behalf— pub garden? i'm asking this on behalf of— pub garden? i'm asking this on behalf of mic— pub garden? i'm asking this on behalf of mic 94—year—old - behalf of mic 94—year—old grandmother. _ behalf of mic 94-year-old grandmother.— behalf of mic 94-year-old

grandmother. behalf of mic 94-year-old arandmother. ., ,, , ., , . grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and _ grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and i _ grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and i think _ grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and i think that _ grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and i think that you - grandmother. thank you very much, catherine and i think that you speak| catherine and i think that you speak on behalf of millions who want to see more flexibility for visiting elderly relatives in care homes and allowing them to do more. i know it has been a tough time for those in care homes and you will remember how hard the care homes were hit by the first wave of the pandemic. we had to do everything we can possibly to protect them. what we are doing from monday april the 12th as i said just now is we are allowing more people to visit elderly relatives in care homes. going up from one to two people and we are doing a review right now on the specific request that you make and i'm sure on behalf of many others, to try to get that going in a reasonable and safe way. you will hear a bit more about that, catherine, later on in the next few days. let's go to matthew from

norwich. figs days. let's go to matthew from norwich. �* , ., days. let's go to matthew from norwich. ~ , ., ., , , norwich. as more adults become rotected norwich. as more adults become protected due — norwich. as more adults become protected due to _ norwich. as more adults become protected due to the _ norwich. as more adults become protected due to the speedy - norwich. as more adults become i protected due to the speedy vaccine roll-out _ protected due to the speedy vaccine roll-out is _ protected due to the speedy vaccine roll—out is there _ protected due to the speedy vaccine roll—out is there a _ protected due to the speedy vaccine roll—out is there a risk— protected due to the speedy vaccine roll—out is there a risk that - protected due to the speedy vaccine roll—out is there a risk that covid . roll—out is there a risk that covid could _ roll—out is there a risk that covid could mutate _ roll—out is there a risk that covid could mutate and _ roll—out is there a risk that covid could mutate and affect - roll—out is there a risk that covid could mutate and affect children| could mutate and affect children more _ could mutate and affect children more and — could mutate and affect children more and if— could mutate and affect children more and if so _ could mutate and affect children more and if so other— could mutate and affect children more and if so other scientists l more and if so other scientists looking — more and if so other scientists looking at— more and if so other scientists looking at a _ more and if so other scientists looking at a vaccine _ more and if so other scientists looking at a vaccine for- more and if so other scientistsi looking at a vaccine for children also? _ looking at a vaccine for children also? . , ., ., also? excellent question for matthew and i think i also? excellent question for matthew and i think i will— also? excellent question for matthew and i think i will ask _ also? excellent question for matthew and i think i will ask chris _ also? excellent question for matthew and i think i will ask chris and - and i think i will ask chris and patrick. i and i think i will ask chris and patrick. ~ , and i think i will ask chris and patrick. ~' , ., patrick. i think there is no evidence _ patrick. i think there is no evidence that _ patrick. i think there is no evidence that the - patrick. i think there is no evidence that the virus . patrick. i think there is no evidence that the virus is | patrick. i think there is no - evidence that the virus is going to mutate _ evidence that the virus is going to mutate specifically to affect children but what may happen as more people _ children but what may happen as more people become immune to the virus through— people become immune to the virus through vaccination is that the virus _ through vaccination is that the virus will— through vaccination is that the virus will try to get around that and try— virus will try to get around that and try to _ virus will try to get around that and try to escape the vaccine. but as a normal— and try to escape the vaccine. but as a normal process but a virus will do and _ as a normal process but a virus will do and we — as a normal process but a virus will do and we expect that over time which _ do and we expect that over time which is — do and we expect that over time which is why overtime it may be necessary— which is why overtime it may be necessary to update the vaccines may every _ necessary to update the vaccines may every year _ necessary to update the vaccines may every year or— necessary to update the vaccines may every year or couple of years and have _ every year or couple of years and have a _ every year or couple of years and have a slightly different vaccine for certain vulnerable groups. that is what _ for certain vulnerable groups. that is what we — for certain vulnerable groups. that is what we expect to change but in terms _ is what we expect to change but in terms of— is what we expect to change but in terms of vaccines for children that has been — terms of vaccines for children that has been looked at. it would be the

same _ has been looked at. it would be the same vaccine, the pfizer study read out last _ same vaccine, the pfizer study read out last week that they are looking at this— out last week that they are looking at this in_ out last week that they are looking at this in children and i expect to see more — at this in children and i expect to see more trials of vaccines for children— see more trials of vaccines for children in— see more trials of vaccines for children in the next few months. but it will— children in the next few months. but it will be _ children in the next few months. but it will be the same vaccines. just to add one _ it will be the same vaccines. just to add one point, _ it will be the same vaccines. just to add one point, one of the few good things about this epidemic and are almost none, is that children are almost none, is that children are relatively unaffected. and for that reason you would want to be absolutely confident that a vaccine was highly safe because children are at relatively low risk and therefore you want to be confident that the vaccine is incredibly safe if you're using it in children. in older adults of course the risk of covid is high and the risk ratio is different. is high and the risk ratio is different-— is high and the risk ratio is different._ iain| is high and the risk ratio is - different._ iain watson of different. thank you. iain watson of the bbc. different. thank you. iain watson of the bbc- happy _ different. thank you. iain watson of the bbc. happy easter, _ different. thank you. iain watson of the bbc. happy easter, some - different. thank you. iain watson of the bbc. happy easter, some good | the bbc. happy easter, some good news _ the bbc. happy easter, some good news today— the bbc. happy easter, some good news today but _ the bbc. happy easter, some good news today but on _ the bbc. happy easter, some good news today but on vaccine - the bbc. happy easter, some goodi news today but on vaccine passports they seem _ news today but on vaccine passports they seem to — news today but on vaccine passports they seem to have _ news today but on vaccine passports they seem to have achieved - news today but on vaccine passports they seem to have achieved the - they seem to have achieved the remarkable _ they seem to have achieved the remarkable political— they seem to have achieved the remarkable political feat - they seem to have achieved the remarkable political feat of- they seem to have achieved the i remarkable political feat of uniting a former— remarkable political feat of uniting a former labour— remarkable political feat of uniting a former labour leader— remarkable political feat of uniting a former labour leader and - remarkable political feat of uniting a former labour leader and former conservative — a former labour leader and former

conservative leader— a former labour leader and former conservative leader against - a former labour leader and former conservative leader against them. | a former labour leader and former. conservative leader against them. 40 of your— conservative leader against them. 40 of your own _ conservative leader against them. 40 of your own mps _ conservative leader against them. 40 of your own mps regard _ conservative leader against them. 40 of your own mps regard the _ conservative leader against them. 40 of your own mps regard the most - of your own mps regard the most divisive _ of your own mps regard the most divisive and — of your own mps regard the most divisive and if _ of your own mps regard the most divisive and if they— of your own mps regard the most divisive and if they are _ of your own mps regard the most divisive and if they are going - of your own mps regard the most divisive and if they are going to l of your own mps regard the mosti divisive and if they are going to be introduced — divisive and if they are going to be introduced can _ divisive and if they are going to be introduced can you _ divisive and if they are going to be introduced can you guarantee - divisive and if they are going to be introduced can you guarantee a i divisive and if they are going to be i introduced can you guarantee a vote introduced can you guarantee a vote in parliament— introduced can you guarantee a vote in parliament on— introduced can you guarantee a vote in parliament on the _ introduced can you guarantee a vote in parliament on the issue _ introduced can you guarantee a vote in parliament on the issue and - in parliament on the issue and secondly— in parliament on the issue and secondly would _ in parliament on the issue and secondly would you _ in parliament on the issue and secondly would you like - in parliament on the issue and secondly would you like to - in parliament on the issue andl secondly would you like to take in parliament on the issue and - secondly would you like to take this opportunity— secondly would you like to take this opportunity to— secondly would you like to take this opportunity to reassure _ secondly would you like to take this opportunity to reassure the - secondly would you like to take thisj opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one _ opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one that — opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one that could _ opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one that could be _ opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one that could be useful- opportunity to reassure the sceptics that one that could be useful for- that one that could be useful for large _ that one that could be useful for large events _ that one that could be useful for large events people _ that one that could be useful for large events people will- that one that could be useful for large events people will not - that one that could be useful fori large events people will not need that one that could be useful for- large events people will not need to have a _ large events people will not need to have a certificate _ large events people will not need to have a certificate to _ large events people will not need to have a certificate to gain _ large events people will not need to have a certificate to gain entry- large events people will not need to have a certificate to gain entry to i have a certificate to gain entry to the local— have a certificate to gain entry to the local pub _ have a certificate to gain entry to the local pub. and _ have a certificate to gain entry to the local pub. and on _ have a certificate to gain entry to the local pub. and on your- have a certificate to gain entry to| the local pub. and on your review documents — the local pub. and on your review documents their— the local pub. and on your review documents their son _ the local pub. and on your review documents their son and - the local pub. and on your review. documents their son and pessimistic about— documents their son and pessimistic about foreign — documents their son and pessimistic about foreign travel— documents their son and pessimistic about foreign travel going _ documents their son and pessimistic about foreign travel going ahead - documents their son and pessimistic about foreign travel going ahead in i about foreign travel going ahead in may. about foreign travel going ahead in may when— about foreign travel going ahead in may. when you _ about foreign travel going ahead in may. when you think— about foreign travel going ahead in may. when you think you - about foreign travel going ahead in may. when you think you will - about foreign travel going ahead in may. when you think you will be i about foreign travel going ahead in i may. when you think you will be able to tell— may. when you think you will be able to tell us _ may. when you think you will be able to tell us that — may. when you think you will be able to tell us that people _ may. when you think you will be able to tell us that people can _ may. when you think you will be able to tell us that people can book - to tell us that people can book foreign — to tell us that people can book foreign holiday? _ to tell us that people can book foreign holiday?— to tell us that people can book foreign holiday? to tell us that people can book foreian holida ? . ~ ,, , . foreign holiday? thank you very much and lots of very _ foreign holiday? thank you very much and lots of very good _ foreign holiday? thank you very much and lots of very good points _ foreign holiday? thank you very much and lots of very good points there. i and lots of very good points there. first on covid status certification as we preferred to call it, i think the most important thing to say to everyone listening and watching is that there is absolutely no question of people being asked to produce certification or covid status reports when they go to the shops or to the pub garden or to the

hairdresser or whatever on monday. and indeed we are not planning that for step three either. may the 17th as you know we are hoping to go for the opening up of indoor hospitality and so on. we are not planning for anything of that kind at that stage. i think what is certainly true is that the idea of vaccination status been useful for international travel is something that all countries are looking at. i do think that will be part of the way people deal with it, we need to think about that. but there are basically three ingredients to your covid certification or three ways that you can give reassurance to others if you go to a big mass event. always

that people can be assured that the people in the room do not have the risk of spreading covid a number one is your immunity. so if you've had the virus before and certainly in the virus before and certainly in the last six months you will have those antibodies and number two obviously is vaccination status. number three is testing and testing really is valuable. i've been talking about this for a long time but the nhs as you know is now offering free lateral flow tests and i do think that they are for asymptomatic people as well that they are an important part of the way forward. i want to stress that there are complicated ethical and practical issues as i think i said last time raised by the idea of covid status certification because

for vaccination using vaccination alone, just because after all many people will be for one reason or another unable to get a vaccine for example for medical reasons or perhaps because they are pregnant or whatever so you have to be careful how you handle this and do not start a system that is discriminatory. obviously we are looking at it and we want to go ahead in the next few weeks with some test events and pilot events which you can see in the road map that we have laid out. and big events like letting 20,000 people into wembley stadium on may the 15th and that kind of thing. getting people back into the theatre. but unquestionably will involve testing to allow the audience really to participate in the numbers that people want. as for

a vote on the issue, we are taking too many fences at once. firstly we need to work out exactly what the proposal might be, but certainly if there is something to put to parliament i have no doubt we will be doing that. but i want to stress again that is not going to happen in step two, april the 12th, or step three, may the 17th, and i hope that helps. you also asked about aviation and international travel. obviously we are hopeful that we can get going, from may the 17th, we are hopeful, but i do not wish to give hostages to fortune or to underestimate the difficulties we are seeing in some of the destination countries people might want to go to. we don't want to see the virus being reimported into this country from abroad. plainly there

is a surge in other parts of the world and we have to be mindful of that and to be realistic. so what we are going to do, the global travel taskforce is going to report later on this week. we will then be setting out well before may the 17th what we think is reasonable. so i wish i could give you more on that, and i know people watching will want to know exactly what they can do from may the 17th but we are not there yet. as soon as we have solid information, more solid data, we will let you know, but that is where we are for the time being. i think... i don't think either of you guys need to address those points. prime minister, i appreciate the plan to— prime minister, i appreciate the plan to introduce covid passports isn't coming in in the next few steps. — isn't coming in in the next few steps. but _ isn't coming in in the next few steps, but do you think it is fair

to expect — steps, but do you think it is fair to expect people to show a certificate to do something which was once — certificate to do something which was once a normal activity? and what support— was once a normal activity? and what support will— was once a normal activity? and what support will you provide businesses that have _ support will you provide businesses that have to support it? and are you expecting _ that have to support it? and are you expecting people to eventually turn people _ expecting people to eventually turn people away who don't have a certificate? secondly, research certificate ? secondly, research published certificate? secondly, research published in the british medical journal— published in the british medical journal found adherence to test, trace _ journal found adherence to test, trace an — journal found adherence to test, trace an isolate was low. you are now _ trace an isolate was low. you are now rolling — trace an isolate was low. you are now rolling out the scheme where you can get _ now rolling out the scheme where you can get two _ now rolling out the scheme where you can get two rapid tests a week. how much _ can get two rapid tests a week. how much compliance do you need for that to work. _ much compliance do you need for that to work. and _ much compliance do you need for that to work, and how confident can you be that— to work, and how confident can you be that it _ to work, and how confident can you be that it will work given compliance was so low? firstly on our compliance was so low? firstly on your question _ compliance was so low? firstly on your question about _ compliance was so low? firstly on your question about covid - compliance was so low? firstly on your question about covid status i compliance was so low? firstly on i your question about covid status and certification, i really direct you to what i said just now to ian. you are taking too many fences at once. we are... stages two and three don't involve anything of the kind and when we have proposals we will be setting them out. on your point

about test, trace and isolate, actually i think testing has been a massive advantage to this country, our ability to conduct something like 12 million tests the last number i saw, a huge proportion of the population already been tested, that's one of the reasons we have been able to follow the path of the disease to isolate its genomic sequence in the way that chris was explaining just now. that is why we know so much about the variants in this country that we face, and so its been of massive use to us fighting the disease. i think the lateral flow tests will be a great advantage to us all as we go forward. i do lateralflow advantage to us all as we go forward. i do lateral flow tests before i go out on a visit to test whether or not i might conceivably be infectious. i think it is a sensible thing to do. the nhs is now

offering these free tests, and i think people should use them. lateral flow tests are effective at picking _ lateral flow tests are effective at picking up people who are infectious, a negative doesn't mean you absolutely haven't got it but the positive is useful to identify those _ the positive is useful to identify those people who need to isolate. you are _ those people who need to isolate. you are right that testing alone isn't _ you are right that testing alone isn't what — you are right that testing alone isn't what matters, it matters if you are — isn't what matters, it matters if you are positive, if you are a true positive _ you are positive, if you are a true positive that you isolate and these tests are _ positive that you isolate and these tests are a — positive that you isolate and these tests are a way of picking up more people _ tests are a way of picking up more people who otherwise wouldn't have been picked up. people who otherwise wouldn't have been picked up-_ been picked up. thank you. beth rib , been picked up. thank you. beth rigby. sky- _ been picked up. thank you. beth rigby. sky- 0n — been picked up. thank you. beth rigby, sky. on february - been picked up. thank you. beth rigby, sky. on february the i been picked up. thank you. beth| rigby, sky. on february the 22nd when ou rigby, sky. on february the 22nd when you announced _ rigby, sky. on february the 22nd when you announced your- rigby, sky. on february the 22nd when you announced your road i rigby, sky. on february the 22nd i when you announced your road map, you said _ when you announced your road map, you said the — when you announced your road map, you said the vaccination _ when you announced your road map, you said the vaccination programme i you said the vaccination programme would _ you said the vaccination programme would create — you said the vaccination programme would create a — you said the vaccination programme would create a shield _ you said the vaccination programme would create a shield around - you said the vaccination programme would create a shield around the i would create a shield around the entire _ would create a shield around the entire population— would create a shield around the entire population and _ would create a shield around the entire population and put - would create a shield around the entire population and put us i would create a shield around the entire population and put us on. would create a shield around the| entire population and put us on a one-way— entire population and put us on a one-way road _ entire population and put us on a one-way road to _ entire population and put us on a one—way road to freedom. - entire population and put us on a one—way road to freedom. but i entire population and put us on a i one—way road to freedom. but now after— one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune _ one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune the — one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune the 21st, _ one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune the 21st, it _ one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune the 21st, it looks - one—way road to freedom. but now afterjune the 21st, it looks like i afterjune the 21st, it looks like you are — afterjune the 21st, it looks like you are asking _ afterjune the 21st, it looks like you are asking us _ afterjune the 21st, it looks like you are asking us to _ afterjune the 21st, it looks like you are asking us to have - you are asking us to have twice—weekly— you are asking us to have twice—weekly testing i you are asking us to have twice—weekly testing and| you are asking us to have i twice—weekly testing and it is likely— twice—weekly testing and it is likely we _ twice—weekly testing and it is likely we will— twice—weekly testing and it is

likely we will have _ twice—weekly testing and it is likely we will have to - twice—weekly testing and it is likely we will have to carry i twice—weekly testing and it is i likely we will have to carry around some _ likely we will have to carry around some form — likely we will have to carry around some form of— likely we will have to carry around some form of covid _ likely we will have to carry around some form of covid certification. i likely we will have to carry around i some form of covid certification. is that your— some form of covid certification. is that your vision _ some form of covid certification. is that your vision now— some form of covid certification. is that your vision now for— some form of covid certification. is that your vision now for what - that your vision now for what freedom _ that your vision now for what freedom looks _ that your vision now for what freedom looks like _ that your vision now for what freedom looks like for- that your vision now for what freedom looks like for all- that your vision now for what freedom looks like for all ofi that your vision now for what i freedom looks like for all of us? and how— freedom looks like for all of us? and how long _ freedom looks like for all of us? and how long will— freedom looks like for all of us? and how long will we _ freedom looks like for all of us? and how long will we have - freedom looks like for all of us? and how long will we have to i freedom looks like for all of us? i and how long will we have to live like this? — and how long will we have to live like this? and — and how long will we have to live like this? and to— and how long will we have to live like this? and to professor- and how long will we have to live like this? and to professor chrisl like this? and to professor chris whitty, — like this? and to professor chris whitty, chile _ like this? and to professor chris whitty, chile has— like this? and to professor chris whitty, chile has one _ like this? and to professor chris whitty, chile has one of- like this? and to professor chris whitty, chile has one of the i like this? and to professor chris i whitty, chile has one of the world fastest _ whitty, chile has one of the world fastest vaccination _ whitty, chile has one of the world fastest vaccination rates, - whitty, chile has one of the world fastest vaccination rates, but i whitty, chile has one of the world fastest vaccination rates, but it. fastest vaccination rates, but it has also — fastest vaccination rates, but it has also just _ fastest vaccination rates, but it has also just had _ fastest vaccination rates, but it has also just had to _ fastest vaccination rates, but it has also just had to close - fastest vaccination rates, but it has also just had to close its i has also just had to close its borders— has also just had to close its borders to _ has also just had to close its borders to slow— has also just had to close its borders to slow the - has also just had to close its borders to slow the spread i has also just had to close itsl borders to slow the spread of has also just had to close its - borders to slow the spread of covid and stop— borders to slow the spread of covid and stop the — borders to slow the spread of covid and stop the influx _ borders to slow the spread of covid and stop the influx of— borders to slow the spread of covid and stop the influx of new - borders to slow the spread of covid and stop the influx of new variantsl and stop the influx of new variants from _ and stop the influx of new variants from abroad — and stop the influx of new variants from abroad. is— and stop the influx of new variants from abroad. is there _ and stop the influx of new variants from abroad. is there anything i and stop the influx of new variants from abroad. is there anything we | from abroad. is there anything we can learn— from abroad. is there anything we can learn from _ from abroad. is there anything we can learn from the _ from abroad. is there anything we can learn from the chile _ from abroad. is there anything we . can learn from the chile experience, and are _ can learn from the chile experience, and are there — can learn from the chile experience, and are there any— can learn from the chile experience, and are there any implications - can learn from the chile experience, and are there any implications of- can learn from the chile experience, and are there any implications of it i and are there any implications of it on our— and are there any implications of it on our own— and are there any implications of it on our own summer— and are there any implications of it on our own summer holidays? i and are there any implications of it i on our own summer holidays? beth, first of all. — on our own summer holidays? beth, first of all, chris _ on our own summer holidays? beth, first of all, chris i'm _ on our own summer holidays? beth, first of all, chris i'm sure _ on our own summer holidays? beth, first of all, chris i'm sure will - first of all, chris i'm sure will want to answer the question about chile, but on the vision for the future and what the world will be like afterjune the 21st, i think a great deal depends on the continuing success of the vaccine roll—out and was continuing to satisfy the four tests. if things continue to go

well, i do think that for many people in many ways, life will begin to get back to at least some semblance of normality. but we are still some way off. we have got to be guided by the date and we have got to make sure we follow with the road map. that is the way to get there. i think a world in which we continue to have testing is not going to be too owner —— onerous. you are slightly putting the cart before the horse. we need to make sure we get through stage two, get through the april the 12th and may the 17th openings, thenjune the zist the 17th openings, thenjune the 21st we finally open up a lot of things we couldn't open up last year. things will feel really very

difficult but we have got to be pretty cautious to get there. we are still on target. i want to repeat one key thing i said earlier on. there is nothing in the data that i can see today that would cause us to deviate from the road map as things stand. {lin deviate from the road map as things stand. , ., , ., deviate from the road map as things stand. , ., i. ., stand. on the question you asked me, chile provides — stand. on the question you asked me, chile provides one _ stand. on the question you asked me, chile provides one important - chile provides one important example, and the other extreme, israel— example, and the other extreme, israel provides another. two countries _ israel provides another. two countries with extensive vaccination. in israel the rates are staying _ vaccination. in israel the rates are staying down for the moment and it is important we watch that, and chile. _ is important we watch that, and chile. as — is important we watch that, and chile, as you say a remarkable effort — chile, as you say a remarkable effort by — chile, as you say a remarkable effort by the chilean people to vaccinate at a high level which is excellent, — vaccinate at a high level which is excellent, but they have not had quite _ excellent, but they have not had quite the — excellent, but they have not had quite the same effect. is this due to the _ quite the same effect. is this due to the vaccines used? is it due to the timing — to the vaccines used? is it due to the timing of when things are being rolled _ the timing of when things are being rolled out? is it due to particular

interactions with other variants? we don't _ interactions with other variants? we don't yet _ interactions with other variants? we don't yet know and the implication of your— don't yet know and the implication of your question is we need to learn from _ of your question is we need to learn from those — of your question is we need to learn from those countries that are ahead of us _ from those countries that are ahead of us or— from those countries that are ahead of us or alongside us in terms of vaccine — of us or alongside us in terms of vaccine roll—out, and they are two of the _ vaccine roll—out, and they are two of the key— vaccine roll—out, and they are two of the key ones but there are others — of the key ones but there are others as— of the key ones but there are others. as we get more data, i think the information from other countries as well— the information from other countries as well as _ the information from other countries as well as the information from our own epidemiology will tell us how much _ own epidemiology will tell us how much we — own epidemiology will tell us how much we can gradually lower our guard, _ much we can gradually lower our guard, but— much we can gradually lower our guard, but this is the reason we want _ guard, but this is the reason we want to— guard, but this is the reason we want to do— guard, but this is the reason we want to do things in a steady way. the assumption on vaccinating people and the _ the assumption on vaccinating people and the problem goes away, chile is corrective _ and the problem goes away, chile is corrective of that and this is something we have to take steadily. thank— something we have to take steadily. thank you _ something we have to take steadily. thank you very much.— thank you very much. thank you, prime minister. _ thank you very much. thank you, prime minister. can _ thank you very much. thank you, prime minister. can i _ thank you very much. thank you, prime minister. can i ask- thank you very much. thank you, prime minister. can i ask a i thank you very much. thank you, | prime minister. can i ask a factual question. — prime minister. can i ask a factual question. which— prime minister. can i ask a factual question, which is— prime minister. can i ask a factual question, which is what _ prime minister. can i ask a factual question, which is what about i question, which is what about children— question, which is what about children in— question, which is what about children in relation— question, which is what about children in relation to - question, which is what about children in relation to vaccine | children in relation to vaccine passports? _ children in relation to vaccine passports? will— children in relation to vaccine passports? will they- children in relation to vaccine passports? will they be - children in relation to vaccine i passports? will they be required children in relation to vaccine - passports? will they be required to have these — passports? will they be required to have these certificates? _

passports? will they be required to have these certificates? secondly, i have these certificates? secondly, it is a _ have these certificates? secondly, it is a year— have these certificates? secondly, it is a year to _ have these certificates? secondly, it is a year to the _ have these certificates? secondly, it is a year to the day _ have these certificates? secondly, it is a year to the day since - have these certificates? secondly, it is a year to the day since you i it is a year to the day since you were _ it is a year to the day since you were admitted _ it is a year to the day since you were admitted to _ it is a year to the day since you were admitted to hospital- it is a year to the day since you were admitted to hospital with| were admitted to hospital with coronavirus _ were admitted to hospital with coronavirus. did _ were admitted to hospital with coronavirus. did you _ were admitted to hospital with coronavirus. did you imagine i were admitted to hospital with i coronavirus. did you imagine back then— coronavirus. did you imagine back then that — coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we — coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we would _ coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we would still _ coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we would still be - coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we would still be in i coronavirus. did you imagine back then that we would still be in the i then that we would still be in the pandemic— then that we would still be in the pandemic one _ then that we would still be in the pandemic one year— then that we would still be in the pandemic one year on? - then that we would still be in the pandemic one year on? and i then that we would still be in the pandemic one year on? and canl then that we would still be in the i pandemic one year on? and can i then that we would still be in the - pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that _ pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that of— pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that of feta — pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that of feta chris _ pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that of feta chris whitty— pandemic one year on? and can i also ask that of feta chris whitty and - ask that of feta chris whitty and sir patrick— ask that of feta chris whitty and sir patrick? _ ask that of feta chris whitty and sir patrick?— sir patrick? first of all on the vaccine passports _ sir patrick? first of all on the vaccine passports question, | sir patrick? first of all on the - vaccine passports question, again, jane, you are slightly taking your fences all at once. we are a way of implementing or enacting anything of the kind for anybody, let alone children. i have spelt out the ways in which we might think about doing that, but it is not for steps two and three in any event. i suppose one year on i'm actually filled with amazement that science has produced so many vaccines. i remember having this conversation with patrick and chris many times, and i was a great believer and still am in the virtues

of testing as a way through, because i can see this thing would keep going and keep going for a long time. but i never thought we would get so many workable vaccines in such a short order when you consider we haven't got vaccines against sars or aids so that is the most stunning thing about the last year. most scientists have _ thing about the last year. most scientists have said _ thing about the last year. most scientists have said that - thing about the last year. most scientists have said that now. thing about the last year. most scientists have said that now this is widespread it will stay with us for a _ is widespread it will stay with us for a tong — is widespread it will stay with us for a long time and i don't think it is any— for a long time and i don't think it is any surprise it is still with us now, _ is any surprise it is still with us how. hor— is any surprise it is still with us now, norwill is any surprise it is still with us now, nor will it magically disappear over the _ now, nor will it magically disappear over the next few months. this virus is here _ over the next few months. this virus is here for— over the next few months. this virus is here for the foreseeable future. but as— is here for the foreseeable future. but as the — is here for the foreseeable future. but as the prime ministerjust said, science _ but as the prime ministerjust said, sciehce over— but as the prime ministerjust said, science over time will derisk it. what _ science over time will derisk it. what has — science over time will derisk it. what has surprised me, if anything, is the _ what has surprised me, if anything, is the number of vaccines we have.

but we _ is the number of vaccines we have. but we witi— is the number of vaccines we have. but we will have significant problems with covid for the foreseeable future and i don't think we should — foreseeable future and i don't think we should pretend otherwise. exactly the same. before _ we should pretend otherwise. exactly the same. before the _ we should pretend otherwise. exactly the same. before the first _ we should pretend otherwise. exactly the same. before the first wave, - we should pretend otherwise. exactly the same. before the first wave, we | the same. before the first wave, we were worried — the same. before the first wave, we were worried there _ the same. before the first wave, we were worried there would _ the same. before the first wave, we were worried there would be - the same. before the first wave, we were worried there would be a - the same. before the first wave, we i were worried there would be a second and third _ were worried there would be a second and third wave — were worried there would be a second and third wave after. _ were worried there would be a second and third wave after. that _ were worried there would be a second and third wave after. that seems - and third wave after. that seems likely— and third wave after. that seems likely and — and third wave after. that seems likely and unfortunately - and third wave after. that seems likely and unfortunately that - and third wave after. that seems likely and unfortunately that has | likely and unfortunately that has been _ likely and unfortunately that has been borne _ likely and unfortunately that has been borne out _ likely and unfortunately that has been borne out across _ likely and unfortunately that has been borne out across the - likely and unfortunately that has | been borne out across the world. likely and unfortunately that has l been borne out across the world. i echo _ been borne out across the world. i echo what — been borne out across the world. i echo what the _ been borne out across the world. i echo what the others _ been borne out across the world. i echo what the others have - been borne out across the world. i echo what the others have said - been borne out across the world. i. echo what the others have said which is the _ echo what the others have said which is the miracle — echo what the others have said which is the miracle in _ echo what the others have said which is the miracle in this _ echo what the others have said which is the miracle in this is _ echo what the others have said which is the miracle in this is to _ echo what the others have said which is the miracle in this is to end - echo what the others have said which is the miracle in this is to end up- is the miracle in this is to end up with— is the miracle in this is to end up with such — is the miracle in this is to end up with such effective _ is the miracle in this is to end up with such effective vaccines - is the miracle in this is to end up with such effective vaccines so . with such effective vaccines so quicktx — with such effective vaccines so quickty. realty— with such effective vaccines so quickly. really a _ with such effective vaccines so quickly. really a remarkable . quickly. really a remarkable scientific— quickly. really a remarkable scientific triumph. _ quickly. really a remarkable scientific triumph.— quickly. really a remarkable scientific triumph. thank you. the ex - ress. scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank _ scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank you. _ scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank you. if _ scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank you. if i _ scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank you. if i could - scientific triumph. thank you. the express. thank you. if i could ask| express. thank you. if i could ask the scientist, _ express. thank you. if i could ask the scientist, the _ express. thank you. if i could ask the scientist, the government - express. thank you. if i could ask - the scientist, the government review document— the scientist, the government review document today doesn't give much away— document today doesn't give much away about when social distancing measures — away about when social distancing measures might start to disappear. can you _ measures might start to disappear. can you update us at all about when people _ can you update us at all about when people who have been vaccinated will be able _ people who have been vaccinated will be able to _ people who have been vaccinated will be able to safely hug their friends and family? and some people have

said covid — and family? and some people have said covid status certification are like id_ said covid status certification are like id cards, they are unbritish. are they— like id cards, they are unbritish. are they wrong? you guys first. clearly the road map lays out the steps _ clearly the road map lays out the steps and — clearly the road map lays out the steps and the _ clearly the road map lays out the steps and the next _ clearly the road map lays out the steps and the next step - clearly the road map lays out the steps and the next step in- clearly the road map lays out the steps and the next step in terms| clearly the road map lays out the . steps and the next step in terms of being _ steps and the next step in terms of being able — steps and the next step in terms of being able to — steps and the next step in terms of being able to see _ steps and the next step in terms of being able to see people _ steps and the next step in terms of being able to see people indoors . being able to see people indoors woutd _ being able to see people indoors would be — being able to see people indoors would be may— being able to see people indoors would be may the _ being able to see people indoors would be may the 17th _ being able to see people indoors would be may the 17th and - being able to see people indoors would be may the 17th and that i being able to see people indoors| would be may the 17th and that is true right— would be may the 17th and that is true right the _ would be may the 17th and that is true right the way— would be may the 17th and that is true right the way across - would be may the 17th and that is true right the way across the - true right the way across the community— true right the way across the community so _ true right the way across the community so that _ true right the way across the community so that doesn't l true right the way across the - community so that doesn't change. what _ community so that doesn't change. what atso — community so that doesn't change. what also doesn't _ community so that doesn't change. what also doesn't change - community so that doesn't change. what also doesn't change is - community so that doesn't change. what also doesn't change is that i community so that doesn't change. what also doesn't change is that in| what also doesn't change is that in that five _ what also doesn't change is that in that five week _ what also doesn't change is that in that five week period _ what also doesn't change is that in that five week period it _ what also doesn't change is that in that five week period it will - what also doesn't change is that in that five week period it will be - that five week period it will be necessary _ that five week period it will be necessary to _ that five week period it will be necessary to look _ that five week period it will be necessary to look at _ that five week period it will be necessary to look at data - that five week period it will be necessary to look at data and i that five week period it will be . necessary to look at data and we won't _ necessary to look at data and we won't be — necessary to look at data and we won't be able _ necessary to look at data and we won't be able to _ necessary to look at data and we won't be able to do— necessary to look at data and we won't be able to do that - necessary to look at data and we won't be able to do that until- necessary to look at data and we . won't be able to do that until week four so— won't be able to do that until week four so we — won't be able to do that until week four so we won't _ won't be able to do that until week four so we won't really— won't be able to do that until week four so we won't really know - won't be able to do that until week four so we won't really know whati four so we won't really know what the impact — four so we won't really know what the impact is _ four so we won't really know what the impact is and _ four so we won't really know what the impact is and we _ four so we won't really know what the impact is and we don't - four so we won't really know what the impact is and we don't know. four so we won't really know what . the impact is and we don't know the impact _ the impact is and we don't know the impact yet _ the impact is and we don't know the impact yet of — the impact is and we don't know the impact yet of the _ the impact is and we don't know the impact yet of the changes _ the impact is and we don't know the impact yet of the changes on - the impact is and we don't know the impact yet of the changes on the . impact yet of the changes on the 29th of— impact yet of the changes on the 29th of march. _ impact yet of the changes on the 29th of march. so _ impact yet of the changes on the 29th of march. so there's - impact yet of the changes on the 29th of march. so there's a - impact yet of the changes on the 29th of march. so there's a lot . impact yet of the changes on the| 29th of march. so there's a lot to do fottowing _ 29th of march. so there's a lot to do following the _ 29th of march. so there's a lot to do following the opening - 29th of march. so there's a lot to do following the opening up - 29th of march. so there's a lot to do following the opening up of i 29th of march. so there's a lot to . do following the opening up of step two which _ do following the opening up of step two which looks _ do following the opening up of step two which looks a _ do following the opening up of step two which looks a very _ do following the opening up of step two which looks a very reasonable i two which looks a very reasonable thing _ two which looks a very reasonable thing to— two which looks a very reasonable thing to do— two which looks a very reasonable thing to do and _ two which looks a very reasonable thing to do and all— two which looks a very reasonable thing to do and all the _ two which looks a very reasonable thing to do and all the modelling. thing to do and all the modelling suggests— thing to do and all the modelling suggests that _ thing to do and all the modelling suggests that on _ thing to do and all the modelling suggests that on its _ thing to do and all the modelling suggests that on its own - thing to do and all the modelling i suggests that on its own shouldn't have a _ suggests that on its own shouldn't have a big — suggests that on its own shouldn't

have a big impact. _ suggests that on its own shouldn't have a big impact. we _ suggests that on its own shouldn't have a big impact. we need - suggests that on its own shouldn't have a big impact. we need to - suggests that on its own shouldn't i have a big impact. we need to watch it, have a big impact. we need to watch it. measure — have a big impact. we need to watch it. measure it. — have a big impact. we need to watch it, measure it, and _ have a big impact. we need to watch it, measure it, and only— have a big impact. we need to watch it, measure it, and only when- have a big impact. we need to watch it, measure it, and only when we - have a big impact. we need to watchi it, measure it, and only when we get through— it, measure it, and only when we get through these — it, measure it, and only when we get through these steps _ it, measure it, and only when we get through these steps can _ it, measure it, and only when we get through these steps can we - it, measure it, and only when we get through these steps can we start - through these steps can we start looking _ through these steps can we start looking at— through these steps can we start looking at some _ through these steps can we start looking at some of _ through these steps can we start looking at some of the _ through these steps can we start looking at some of the other- through these steps can we start - looking at some of the other aspects as wett~ _ looking at some of the other aspects as wett~ sociat— looking at some of the other aspects as well. social distancing, _ looking at some of the other aspects as well. social distancing, i- looking at some of the other aspects as well. social distancing, i think- as well. social distancing, i think one is— as well. social distancing, i think one is to — as well. social distancing, i think one is to understand _ as well. social distancing, i think one is to understand what - as well. social distancing, i think one is to understand what that l as well. social distancing, i think- one is to understand what that might mean _ one is to understand what that might mean tonger— one is to understand what that might mean longer term, _ one is to understand what that might mean longer term, and _ one is to understand what that might mean longer term, and it _ one is to understand what that might mean longer term, and it probably. mean longer term, and it probably means— mean longer term, and it probably means things _ mean longer term, and it probably means things like _ mean longer term, and it probably means things like hand _ mean longer term, and it probably means things like hand hygiene, l means things like hand hygiene, things— means things like hand hygiene, things like — means things like hand hygiene, things like the _ means things like hand hygiene, things like the fact _ means things like hand hygiene, things like the fact that - means things like hand hygiene, things like the fact that people l things like the fact that people will take — things like the fact that people will take time _ things like the fact that people will take time off— things like the fact that people will take time off if— things like the fact that people will take time off if they- things like the fact that people will take time off if they get i things like the fact that people will take time off if they get ill| will take time off if they get ill and stay— will take time off if they get ill and stay at _ will take time off if they get ill and stay at home _ will take time off if they get ill and stay at home rather- will take time off if they get ill and stay at home rather than. will take time off if they get ill - and stay at home rather than going into work — and stay at home rather than going into work so — and stay at home rather than going into work. so time _ and stay at home rather than going into work. so time to _ and stay at home rather than going into work. so time to take - and stay at home rather than going into work. so time to take yourself| into work. so time to take yourself out, into work. so time to take yourself out. testing. — into work. so time to take yourself out, testing, those _ into work. so time to take yourself out, testing, those sorts _ into work. so time to take yourself out, testing, those sorts of- into work. so time to take yourself out, testing, those sorts of thingsi out, testing, those sorts of things are likely— out, testing, those sorts of things are likely to— out, testing, those sorts of things are likely to be _ out, testing, those sorts of things are likely to be important- out, testing, those sorts of things| are likely to be important baseline measures— are likely to be important baseline measures going _ are likely to be important baseline measures going forward. - as you go through the vaccination programme the protection to use deadly— programme the protection to use deadly increases from the first vaccine — deadly increases from the first vaccine and then the booster vaccine it increases — vaccine and then the booster vaccine it increases your protection and i hope _ it increases your protection and i hope that— it increases your protection and i hope that your newspaper will encourage readers to get their second — encourage readers to get their second vaccine. then the fact that people _ second vaccine. then the fact that people around you have had their first and — people around you have had their first and second vaccine and that provides— first and second vaccine and that provides another layer of protection

around _ provides another layer of protection around you — provides another layer of protection around you and finally the fact that vaccines _ around you and finally the fact that vaccines across a wide part of the population— vaccines across a wide part of the population keep those rates down so the probability is low. but the number— the probability is low. but the number of people who actually have -ot number of people who actually have got the _ number of people who actually have got the virus of the moment is around — got the virus of the moment is around one in three and 70 so we realty— around one in three and 70 so we really want — around one in three and 70 so we really want to get the rates down further _ really want to get the rates down further before we start to feel that society— further before we start to feel that society as — further before we start to feel that society as a whole has got quite a low level— society as a whole has got quite a low level of covid. | society as a whole has got quite a low level of covid.— low level of covid. i think the rinci - le low level of covid. i think the principle of — low level of covid. i think the principle of requiring - low level of covid. i think the principle of requiring some . low level of covid. i think the - principle of requiring some people to have a certificate to prove that they are not passing on the disease such as surgeons or whatever that can be a sensible one but i want to stress that we are some way off finalising any plans for covid certification in uk. the crucial thing is for everyone get out and get their vaccination when you are asked to come forward and as chris

says to get your second is when you asked forward. the uptake at the moment is fantastic and that is very important that it should continue and i think we're seeing something like 99.75% uptake for the second dose which is terrific and that is what we want to see. stephan boettcher of cdn. he what we want to see. stephan boettcher of cdn.— what we want to see. stephan boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early _ boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to — boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to give _ boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to give a _ boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to give a date - boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to give a date for- boettcher of cdn. he said earlier it was too early to give a date for the| was too early to give a date for the resumption— was too early to give a date for the resumption of— was too early to give a date for the resumption of international - was too early to give a date for the resumption of international travell resumption of international travel but can— resumption of international travel but can you — resumption of international travel but can you commit _ resumption of international travel but can you commit to _ resumption of international travel but can you commit to giving - resumption of international travel but can you commit to giving the| but can you commit to giving the aviation— but can you commit to giving the aviation sector— but can you commit to giving the aviation sector at _ but can you commit to giving the aviation sector at least _ but can you commit to giving the aviation sector at least three - but can you commit to giving the aviation sector at least three or. aviation sector at least three or four weeks— aviation sector at least three or four weeks notice _ aviation sector at least three or four weeks notice of— aviation sector at least three or four weeks notice of when - aviation sector at least three or four weeks notice of when this i aviation sector at least three or - four weeks notice of when this date will be _ four weeks notice of when this date will be to— four weeks notice of when this date will be to make _ four weeks notice of when this date will be to make sure _ four weeks notice of when this date will be to make sure they _ four weeks notice of when this date will be to make sure they have - four weeks notice of when this date i will be to make sure they have some kind of— will be to make sure they have some kind of clarity— will be to make sure they have some kind of clarity going _ will be to make sure they have some kind of clarity going forward - will be to make sure they have some kind of clarity going forward and - kind of clarity going forward and secondly — kind of clarity going forward and secondly london _ kind of clarity going forward and secondly london has _ kind of clarity going forward and secondly london has been - secondly london has been disproportionately- secondly london has been| disproportionately affected secondly london has been - disproportionately affected by the economic— disproportionately affected by the economic impacts _ disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of _ disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of covid - disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of covid and i disproportionately affected by the i economic impacts of covid and the unemployment _ economic impacts of covid and the unemployment rate _ economic impacts of covid and the unemployment rate is— economic impacts of covid and the unemployment rate is 2% - economic impacts of covid and the unemployment rate is 2% higher. economic impacts of covid and the i unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest _ unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of— unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of the — unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of the country _ unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of the country and _ unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of the country and yet - unemployment rate is 2% higher than the rest of the country and yet the i the rest of the country and yet the government— the rest of the country and yet the government has— the rest of the country and yet the government has not— the rest of the country and yet the government has not looked - the rest of the country and yet the government has not looked at -

the rest of the country and yet the government has not looked at a i government has not looked at a long-term — government has not looked at a long—term funding _ government has not looked at a long—term funding settlement i government has not looked at ai long—term funding settlement in government has not looked at a - long—term funding settlement in the aviation— long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector— long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector do _ long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector do not _ long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector do not seem - long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector do not seem to - long—term funding settlement in the aviation sector do not seem to havel aviation sector do not seem to have any idea _ aviation sector do not seem to have any idea when — aviation sector do not seem to have any idea when they _ aviation sector do not seem to have any idea when they can _ aviation sector do not seem to have any idea when they can start - aviation sector do not seem to have any idea when they can start again. any idea when they can start again and there — any idea when they can start again and there seems— any idea when they can start again and there seems to _ any idea when they can start again and there seems to be _ any idea when they can start again and there seems to be no - any idea when they can start again and there seems to be no plan - any idea when they can start again and there seems to be no plan to| and there seems to be no plan to -ive and there seems to be no plan to give central— and there seems to be no plan to give central london _ and there seems to be no plan to give central london targeted - give central london targeted economic— give central london targeted economic support _ give central london targeted economic support despite i give central london targeted i economic support despite being give central london targeted - economic support despite being the most important _ economic support despite being the most important economic— economic support despite being the most important economic hub. - economic support despite being the most important economic hub. why have you _ most important economic hub. why have you not — most important economic hub. why have you not do _ most important economic hub. why have you not do more _ most important economic hub. why have you not do more to _ most important economic hub. why have you not do more to safeguardl have you not do more to safeguard the long-term _ have you not do more to safeguard the long—term future _ have you not do more to safeguard the long—term future of— have you not do more to safeguard the long—term future of the - have you not do more to safeguard the long—term future of the capitali the long—term future of the capital as a former— the long—term future of the capital as a former of _ the long—term future of the capital as a former of london? _ the long—term future of the capital as a former of london? on - the long-term future of the capital as a former of london?— as a former of london? on the aviation industry, _ as a former of london? on the aviation industry, we _ as a former of london? on the aviation industry, we want - as a former of london? on the aviation industry, we want to l as a former of london? on the i aviation industry, we want to give as much notice as we can and we are going to want to get the country flying again and continue to support the aviation industry in all kinds of ways. the best thing for them is to get flying and that is absolutely critical. i happen to think that the london economy is capable of bouncing back very strongly and the way to do that is to get people back into the centre and get the shops up and again and people moving again. the effects of a chip frantic metropolis like london it working

again and that requires people to be safe and confident and requires the vaccine were allowed to continue to be successful until we get to step three and step four and then i think you will see a big change in the way we live our lives. i do not think that necessarily will come in a rush, i think people will take time and i think a lot of people have learnt to work from home or during the pandemic. but my experience when i was running tfl is that there is a kind of paradox of remote communication that the more people who spend time trying to communicate through zoom and all sorts of remote electronic indication and the more they hunger and thirst actually for direct contact with the people they need to talk to. i think they've all come back, it may take up while for it to come back but i've no doubt that london will bounce back strongly and particularly once we

get the life going again in the artistic, cultural sector, the theatres and all the rest of it. once that starts going again and you can see from the road map how that can see from the road map how that can happen, i think there will be a big change in london and as for the finances of tfl, i must respectfully remind you that i left them in robust good order and it is not through any fault of my own that the current labour mayor decided to blow them on the irresponsible ferrous policy. we'll be doing our best to help out and will continue to do so but i'm afraid you have to look at some of the decisions taken by the current labour mayor as well. i hesitate to make a point like that but since you rightly draw attention to the fact that i'm a proud former mayor of london i do think that we could look at the way that tfl has

been run. that does not mean that we will not continue to support them, of course we are but we need some responsibility from the mayor as well. and i'm afraid there is a black hole in the tfl finances even before covid began as i'm sure you will recollect and your readers will recollect. well, slightly london centric note we are going to end but there you go, the road map continues to be one that we are sticking to like glue. all the data that i can see suggests to me that we have no reason to deviate from it. they are going to get the second step on april the 12th and at the moment things still seem set fair for may the 17th but we will keep everything constantly under review. thank you much. 50

constantly under review. thank you much. ~ . constantly under review. thank you much. ~ , , much. so the prime minister boris johnson much. so the prime minister boris johnson ending — much. so the prime minister boris johnson ending that _ much. so the prime minister boris johnson ending that number- much. so the prime minister boris johnson ending that number ten | johnson ending that number ten briefing alongside sir patrick vallance and professor chris whitty if you did not see that news briefing it is worth just telling you the key points that have emerged in the last hour. the prime minister confirmed the next stage of lockdown lifting in england will go ahead as planned on april 12th, when non—essential shops, hairdressers and gyms can reopen, and pubs and restaurants can start serving customers outdoors. he said there is "nothing in the present data," like a surge in cases, or a new variant emerging, which suggests that the uk will have to deviate from its current roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions. england's chief medical officer professor chris whitty said vaccines are being rolled out at "a remarkable rate". about 31.6 million people in the uk have now had their first dose of a covid—i9 vaccine and of these,

5.4 million have also received a second dose. on international travel, borisjohnson said he is �*hopeful�* that it can �*get going' form may 17, but that it is too early to tell at the moment. he does not want to underestimate the growing number of covered cases elsewhere. i'm joined now by our political correspondent chris mason. a lot of people watching i thinking about holidays and thinking about parents living abroad or siblings living abroad and they're desperate to go and see them and on that topic, is it fair to say that they're not much further forward? not much further forward as far as the words we heard from the trio of gentlemen on the stage. what has come out at the same time as the news conference is a couple of accompanying documents one of which

talks about this traffic light system for international travel. the prime minister said that there will be more information to come later in the week on this global travel taskforce that has been reviewing this and we will get this traffic light system and as we said before crucially at this stage we will not get the one bit of information that every prospective traveller wants to hear that is is country x red, amber or green. because the data that will be put into the traffic light system is not there yet and will need to be examined much closer to that potential lifting of the restrictions on international travel on the 17th of may. find restrictions on international travel on the 17th of may.— restrictions on international travel on the 17th of may. and that is the absolute earliest _ on the 17th of may. and that is the absolute earliest date _ on the 17th of may. and that is the absolute earliest date just - on the 17th of may. and that is the absolute earliest date just to - absolute earliest date just to remind people. the absolute earliest date 'ust to remind people.* absolute earliest date 'ust to remind --eole. ~ . remind people. the prime minister acknowledged _ remind people. the prime minister acknowledged there _ remind people. the prime minister acknowledged there was _ remind people. the prime minister acknowledged there was some - acknowledged there was some uncertainty around that date, we should not be so surprised by that because were still several weeks before it and on three occasions he talked about we have set out our

road map and we are sticking to it and we see nothing in the current data that suggests we will have to deviate from it. he said that exact formation again halfway through and right at the end, that my deviate and a desire not to deviate and sticking like glue to the roadmap. so to that extent as things stand the road map is happening as scheduled so the big reopening in england happening in one week and then obviously we will wait for the data before deciding whether the next one on maine's 17th can come. on the subject of that data and what the scientists are saying, another document published this afternoon by spi n, one of document published this afternoon by spin, one of the subgroups of the sage group of scientists that advise the government, just insured to bring you what they are saying at the moment, they say that this next phase of unlocking in england with the reopening of shops there are still shut and hairdressers and herb gardens and suchlike is highly unlikely to put unsustainable

pressure on the nhs but they say that the later stages including indoor mixing are highly likely to see a resurgence and there is a lot of uncertainty. i think is unlikely that they will beat resurgence on the scale that we had injanuary but there was a plausible, pessimistic scenario which could see a peak greater than the winter one. so that articulates a concern that we've heard publicly from some scientists are read in the last couple of weeks that of what is happening next week is likely to be fine but a little later down the track when frankly we can see a lot more of each other and in environments where transmissibility is likely to be higher because we are closer and inside with less ventilation clearly there is some nervousness among scientists as to whether or not that would be a wise idea. and scientists as to whether or not that would be a wise idea.— would be a wise idea. and always interesting _ would be a wise idea. and always interesting to _ would be a wise idea. and always interesting to listen _ would be a wise idea. and always interesting to listen closely - would be a wise idea. and always interesting to listen closely to - interesting to listen closely to professor chris whitty at these times and he was making the point that to paraphrase, essentially

saying that this coronavirus is not going away and this is something we will have to learn to live with and that life will have to adapt. very much paraphrasing there but you can see that train of thought and it reminds us of the balancing act between the science and the political decisions that have to be made. �* ,.,, , political decisions that have to be made. �* , ., political decisions that have to be made. �* ,., , political decisions that have to be made. �* , , ., made. and it poses a big question which we cannot _ made. and it poses a big question which we cannot answer— made. and it poses a big question which we cannot answer the - made. and it poses a big question i which we cannot answer the moment about the summer and that question is what is normal. what will normality feel like. even if you look at the road map and even if we assume given that so far every stage of the road map has been stuck too and you get tojoin of the road map has been stuck too and you get to join the 2ist where any legal limit on social contact used the phrase from that document from february is arrived at, what does that mean as far as face coverings are concerned as far as the advice on where people should work is concerned if it is possible for you to work from home. what about particular settings where you avoid other people. we are close to other people. this idea of covid

status certification talking about how potentially they could play a role in theatres and nightclubs and mask sporting events. so again that notion of normality which obviously we crave, a return to something that resembles normality but there are plenty of suggestions in the words of the prime minister and documents that go alongside it of the prime minister and documents that go along side it alongside the uncertainty that normality this summer may not be that that we will used to a couple of years ago. and used to a couple of years ago. and on the politics _ used to a couple of years ago. and on the politics of— used to a couple of years ago. and on the politics of this, i have to keep looking at the proper phraseology, the covid status certification, that is where there is some political tension as well and there is a decent number of conservative mps and there is a decent number of conservative mp5 from his own party who are anxious about that. i conservative mps from his own party who are anxious about that.- who are anxious about that. i think covid status _ who are anxious about that. i think covid status certification _ who are anxious about that. i think covid status certification is - who are anxious about that. i think covid status certification is in - covid status certification is in addition to the lexical that we have all been grappling with. there is a real political concern amongst a good chunk of conservative mps and

amongst the liberal democrats and some nervousness within the labour party as well. the prime minister was pushed by arconic and watson about whether there would be a parliamentary moment at some stage where the will of parliament would be tested and ultimately asked to endorse some of this and the prime minister kind of scattered around that and kept falling back on the phrase about the number of fences that have still to be jumped before we arrived at that point. but will be interesting if and when we do reach that point is where do the labour party go because they are expressing reservations about these covid status certificates but they are not wholeheartedly rejecting them and nor are they endorsing them. clearly lots of people of any political persuasion would balk at the idea of having to show some kind of proof of status to do the kind of thing that a couple of years ago we would regard as being totally free to do. he would regard as being totally free to do. ., would regard as being totally free to do. would regard as being totally free todo. ., would regard as being totally free to do. y., ., ., to do. he did say you would not need want to no to do. he did say you would not need want to go into _ to do. he did say you would not need want to go into a _ to do. he did say you would not need want to go into a shop _ to do. he did say you would not need want to go into a shop or— to do. he did say you would not need want to go into a shop or pub - want to go into a shop or pub garden. want to go into a shop or pub carden. ., , ., .,

garden. nothing in the short term to do the day-to-day — garden. nothing in the short term to do the day-to-day stuff— garden. nothing in the short term to do the day-to-day stuff and - garden. nothing in the short term to do the day-to-day stuff and nothing | do the day—to—day stuff and nothing to do with what is opening up in england next week but they are opening up the potential that they could be something used domestically and things like theatres, nightclubs and things like theatres, nightclubs and mass events in the summer. so as big a moment as that might be because to many it would feel like a national id card and will been there many times before in british politics, some will argue it is worth doing for the freedoms it would entitle you to and others in a good number on the conservative backbenchers would regard that as a sacrifice of our civil liberties and freedoms as far as handing of information to the state is concerned that they simply would not be willing to countenance and so that political argument about epidemiological safety versus personal freedom is epidemiological safety versus personalfreedom is going epidemiological safety versus personal freedom is going to epidemiological safety versus personalfreedom is going to become a big political talking point. many thanks. we focused a lot on england inevitably because the

statement the prime minister has just given was about the rules in england starting april the 12th, but of course there has already been something of an easing in scotland. hairdressers and garden centres in scotland can reopen from today in the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions. salons and barbers can welcome back customers with appointments only, but most nonessential shops will have to stay closed for at least three more weeks. here's our scotland correspondent james shaw. a big day in scotland for barbers and hairstylists. and everyone who has been desperate to tame their lockdown locks. hair salons say they are taking high levels of bookings, but they are also having to deal with continuing health and safety restrictions which limit the amount of business they can do. cuts are by appointment only, and mobile services are still not allowed. but at least stylists are back in business. it's such a relief, we're so happy to be back in a salon, just getting back into doing

what we love most and seeing all our colleagues and all our regular clients coming back isjust wonderful. and their customers could not be happier. it's fantastic, and i've been coming to this salon for 12 years, it's a great place to come to. and it feels like spring is here. it might seem like a small thing to some, but getting a haircut can definitely contribute to a feeling that the worst of the second wave of the coronavirus crisis may be over. well, i have to say, it's an enormous relief for me to be able to get a haircut after three months, at least, of waiting for one, and for thousands of other people in scotland as well. but these are not the only freedoms that we're going to start enjoying from today. it's been sunny across much of scotland, which has encouraged many people to head for their local garden centre. these changes are part of the scottish government's road map out of lockdown, which continues at the same time as preparations

for elections in may. over the course of the crisis, the scottish government has sometimes seemed more cautious than ministers in london, and that tone was evident in the latest guidance from the health secretary. the numbers are looking better, and are staying in a kind of steady state of looking better. so that's good. but we're not there yet. so what we've done, and what opens up today, i'm sure, is very welcome by very many people indeed. but our progress needs to be tempered with a degree of caution. and that's of course exactly the approach that we are taking here. so we will do what we've done today, and then, in three weeks' time, i hope that we'll be able to open up a bit more. this is nowhere near the end of the pandemic. but today's limited new freedoms may at least make people feel that the winter crisis is over,

and deliver a small measure of hope. james shaw, bbc news, glasgow. james shaw at the hairdresser. very lucky man! here, a week today pubs and bars in england are set to reopen next week to serve outdoors — but how have our drinking habits changed over the past year? the royal college of psychiatrists is warning there could be a spike in the number of people suffering the effects of alcohol misuse and dependency as lockdown ends. ellie costello has this report. this has become a familiar sight — pubs and bars locked down. but, despite ourfavourite

establishments having closed their doors, many of us are drinking more frequently than we did before. it sort of became a way to punctuate the day. lauren o'neill is a journalist who has been writing about her changing relationship with alcohol. there kind of became not really a huge amount else to do other than shut the bedroom door, go into the kitchen and poura drink. and i think that has been the case for a lot of people. i know that friends and family anecdotally have said the same thing to me. pre—pandemic, hugh described himself as a moderate drinker. it was his adult children living with him during lockdown who made him realise he was drinking too much. every night, i was always having two bottles of fairly strong beer and then a whole bottle of red wine. that's about over 100 units per week, at least. it's recommended that adults don't exceed more than ia units of alcohol per week,

which equates to six pints of beer or six medium glasses of wine. i had no discipline. i had no kind of power over myself at one point. it really depressed me. but i still could then carry on that day. it was quite a vicious loop, really. an estimated quarter of uk adults, particularly those furloughed or working from home, reported drinking more during lockdown. of furloughed workers, one in ten said they were drinking in secret. and provisional data from 2020 shows a stark increase in alcohol—specific deaths in england and wales during the first nine months of 2020, compared with the same time period in 2019. it can affect your mood. people get depressed quite quickly if they start drinking too much and that's a very easy trap to get into. it's easy, for instance, to start getting mild gastrointestinal problems

if you're drinking too much and eventually for people to go on to get serious liver, kidney and heart problems. and increase their susceptibility to cancer. so ahead of beer gardens opening again in england next week, what is the advice for those who have noticed they are drinking too much? there are more and more really nice alcohol free drinks available. make yourself a mocktail while you are having your zoom call, it doesn't have to be a large glass of wine. if you do find yourself getting into problems, drug and alcohol services are still here. if there are people around you, be open and honest with yourself, with them. talk to those folks around you. they might have ideas about how you can moderate your drinking as much as yourself. ellie costello, bbc news. let mejust let me just tell you that we have been trying to get some labour reaction to everything the prime minister announced in the last hour.

earlier we spoke to the liberal democrats and green party, we had some technical issues and we will be getting some reaction from labour after the six o'clock news. at the prime minister confirmed the lockdown will be eased in england beginning next week on april the 12th with some businesses reopening. let's hear more of what boris johnson announced. over this weekend millions of people have been able to see loved ones for the first time in months. i want to thank you all again for your patience because it is really clear now that this is paying off, and it is your collective efforts that have given us the crucial time and space to vaccinate more than 31 million people and i'm pleased that we've also been able to support our overseas territories so that gibraltar has become the first place in the world, one of the first

places, to offer vaccination to its entire adult population. and the net result of your efforts and of course of the vaccine roll—out is that today i can confirm that from monday the 12th of april we will move to the second step of our roadmap. reopening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, hairdressers and of course beer gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds. and on monday the 12th, i will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips. we're also increasing the number of visitors to care homes from one visitor to two visitors to allow residents to see more of their loved ones. we think these changes are fully justified by the data. that shows we're meeting our tests

for easing lockdown, as chris will shortly explain. but i will say this, we cannot be complacent. we can see the waves of sickness afflicting other countries and we have seen how this story goes. we still do not know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as i'm afraid that they will, and that is why we are saying please get your vaccine or your second dose when your turn comes. and please use the free nhs tests even if you don't feel ill. because remember, one in three people with this virus doesn't have any symptoms. and you can get these tests from your pharmacy or your local test site. you can even order them and get home delivery. on gov.uk as part of our road map, we are also publishing

today on gov.uk the early thinking on our four reviews on the return of outdoor events and the potential role of covid status certification and on the resumption of international travel. we set out our road map and we are sticking to it. and i want to stress that we see nothing in the present data that makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map. but it is by being cautious and monitoring the data at every stage, and by following the rules — remembering hands, face, space and fresh air — that we have together we can make this road map to freedom irreversible. hello, the arctic blast has arrived now and will be here for the next few days, bringing sunshine, wintry showers and strong winds. this band of cloud has been bringing wintry

weather across more southern parts of the uk, that is moving through. you can see the shower cloud streaming down from the north in the cold air that originates from the arctic. so it feels cold today but many places will still be dry this afternoon with some sunshine. the temperatures in cheshire lower than they were yesterday mind you. northern scotland in the firing line, particularly in the northern isles where it feels particularly cold. these are the late afternoon temperatures, three to 9 degrees, but when you add on the strength of the wind it will feel colder than that even with sunshine around. we have strong northerly winds, reaching 60 mph across northern parts of scotland. that will continue feeding in snow showers right the way through the night, snow showers coming into parts of wales, even the south—west of england. many other areas will be dry with clear skies. icy conditions where we had the snow showers overnight, and a widespread frost as well. typical temperatures will be

minus 12 minus three celsius. more snow showers in the same sort of areas for a while but as we head through the day almost anywhere could catcher passing snow shower being driven on by those strong winds once again. we have temperatures three to 9 degrees, but it will feel cold, probably more like the middle of winter. but later on in the week we start to see the weather changing a bit. it will not be as cold and it won't be as windy either. during wednesday, we see the cold arctic air and the northerly winds swept out of the north sea taking away most of the snow showers and instead our weather will come in from the atlantic. it will be a cold start to wednesday with some frost. we still have some showers in the north—east of scotland but the winds will be lighter on wednesday. cloud however will increase through the day and we have patchy rain coming

into northern ireland and parts of wales as well. many parts will be dry but still called for the time of year. it gets a little less cold on thursday. —— still cold for the time of year.

the prime minister confirms a further easing of england's coronavirus restrictions from next week. outdoor hospitality, gyms, hairdressers and shops can reopen from april 12th — but social distancing rules are staying in place. free, twice—weekly rapid testing will also be made available to everyone in england. we set out our road map and we are sticking at it. i want to stress that we see nothing in the present data that makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map. the prime minister warned though that we cannot be complacent about the pandemic and that trials would begin on some form of covid certification.