Prime minister Boris Johnson will reveal his roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown today.
The road map will pave the way for the first easing of restrictions since England’s third national lockdown was announced on January 4.
What time will the announcement take place?
Mr Johnson expected to host a Downing Street press conference at 7pm on Monday alongside key advisers.
Before the press conference he will make a statement to the House of Commons at 3.30pm this afternoon.
What is he expected to say?
It is understood that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell MPs today that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.
Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted in a fortnight when the rules are relaxed to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.
The road map will also contain previously announced plans for care home residents to hold hands with a nominated loved one from March 8.
The measures form the first of four steps in the road map which the Prime Minister is set to outline in a statement to the Commons on Monday afternoon.
What else do we know?
From March 29 it is understood that outdoor sports facilities, for example tennis or basketball courts, will reopen.
There is also expected to be a return of organised adult and children’s sport, such as grassroots football.
And it will include the Government’s new target to offer vaccines to all adults by the end of July – as well as those aged over 50, and higher risk groups, by April 15.
What has Mr Johnson said?
Mr Johnson said: “Today I’ll be setting out a road map to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.
“Our priority has always been getting children back into school which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical wellbeing, and we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.
“Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.
“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan.”
Will there be a vote on the roadmap?
MPs will be given the chance to vote on the regulations enabling the road map in the coming weeks.
What is the roadmap based on?
The Prime Minister said his road map will contain four tests for easing restrictions.
The Government will take into account the success of the vaccines rollout, whether there is evidence they are reducing hospital admissions and deaths, the level of infection rates and the presence of any new Covid variants.
Such data will be examined ahead of each step along the road map before measures are unlocked any further.
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