Boris Johnson says lockdown will ease on Monday despite Indian variant
The Prime Minister confirmed that restrictions will still be relaxed on Monday
Last updated 14th May 2021
Boris Johnson has announced that the easing of lockdown restrictions due on Monday in England will still go ahead, despite concerns over a new Indian variant of coronavirus reaching the UK.
The Prime Minister said that the new Indian variant is more transmissable but that it's not known how much more easily it is passed from person to person.
But he said there is “no evidence to suggest that our vaccines will be less effective in protecting people against severe illness and hospitalisation”.
Second vaccine doses prioritised
The threat of the new variant has lead to a change in priority for vaccinations going forward, the Prime Minister said that second doses would now be prioritised for the over-50s and the clinically vulnerable.
Those groups will be offered their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine eight weeks after the first dose, rather than the current 12-week interval.
No need to delay the roadmap
The Prime Minister told the Downing Street press conference: “I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our road map and we will proceed with our plan to move to step three in England from Monday.
“But I have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four in June.”
The 'Indian variant' of coronavirus
London and the North West have seen the biggest rise in cases of the variant, with Public Health England (PHE) data showing it has been responsible for four deaths as of May 12.
The Government has been looking at ways to “flex” the rollout of vaccines in the worst-hit areas, including possibly vaccinating everyone in multi-generational households from 18-year-olds to grandparents.
More vaccine doses have been sent to Bolton, which has a particularly high rate of the Indian variant, while 800,000 PCR tests have been sent to 15 separate areas of England, including parts of London and Merseyside.
Which restrictions are being lifted in England on Monday?
17th May: Indoor mixing
From 17th May, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors. People will be allowed to stay overnight with people out with their household or bubble.
17th May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants can reopen from 17th May.
17th May: Cinemas reopen
Cinemas will also reopen from 17th May, along with indoor soft play areas for children.
17th May: Foreign travel
Foreign travel is permitted from 17th May.
17th May: Hugs are allowed
Boris Johnson has confirmed that we can hug our loved ones from 17th May, but experts have urged that the public should remain vigilant and think carefully about who we hug.
17th May: Indoor exercise classes
From 17th May, indoor sport and exercise classes can resume.
17th May: Museums reopen
Indoor entertainment can open from Monday, including museums.
17th May: Larger events
Some larger events including concerts, theatre performances and sporting events will be allowed to resume from Monday, but restrictions on the numbers of attendees will remain in place.
17th May: No masks in secondary schools
Pupils in secondary schools and colleges will not need to wear masks in classrooms or communal spaces from Monday.
17th May: Universities return to in-person teaching
All University students can return to in-person teaching from Monday.
17th May: 30 guests can attend weddings
Up to 30 guests can now attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events like wakes.
17th May: Care home visitors increase
Care home residents can have 5 named visitors from Monday. Two visitors will be able to visit at once provided they have tested negative. Care home residents will also be able to leave care homes without having isolate on return.