While the new Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he would like to see a return to normal "as quickly as possible", a leading member of SAGE has warned that we shouldn't "rush" into unlocking on July 5th.
Mask-wearing may be "advised" once lockdown restrictions are lifted, but there will be no "legal requirement" to comply, says Environment Secretary George Eustice, who will ditch his mask when the rules change.
More than 60% of U.K. adults have been fully vaccinated against Covid, with roughly 80% of all those aged 18 and over having received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.
Protesters have gathered in London today to demonstrate against the Government's delay to the lifting of lockdown restrictions, holding signs reading "no more lockdowns" and "your obedience is prolonging this nightmare".
Prof Brendan Wren says the data should give us hope for an early unlock and that mass testing is likely providing a false impression of the number of Covid carriers. But Boris is likely to stick to July 19th (at least).
All English adults are now able to book a Covid vaccination, with the number of over-18s who have been vaccinated nearing 45 million (over 80%) – yet still we wait.
Here is a list of the 60 MPs who voted against the extension of lockdown restrictions yesterday evening – 49 Conservatives, six from Labour, five from the Democratic Unionist Party and two tellers.
Nicola Sturgeon says that Scottish lockdown restrictions will likely be maintained for a further three weeks from June 28th (when restrictions were supposed to be eased) so as to "buy time" to fully vaccinate more Scots.
Boris Johnson has extended lockdown by four weeks to vaccinate more Brits and prevent "thousands more deaths". He says July 19th will be a "terminus date", but notes that a "new variant" could warrant further delays.
The Prime Minister will have to put his updated lockdown roadmap dates to a vote in the Commons before the end of June – a vote which he will likely win, but not without a swell of opposition from his own MPs.
