PM hopeful restrictions can end on July 19 but warns pandemic is ‘far from over’
The final lifting of lockdown restrictions will go ahead in England on July 19 if all the tests are met, Boris Johnson has confirmed. Addressing the nation and flanked by Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, the PM said tonight (Monday, July 5) that step four of the roadmap plan is expected to go ahead. The final decision will be confirmed next Monday (July 12) following a review of the data and will see most rules end.
“I want to stress this pandemic is far from over,” the PM warned.
He added: “We must take a careful and balanced decision.” The vaccine rollout will be further accelerated by reducing the dosing interval for under-40s from 12 weeks to eight weeks.