What are the four big announcements Boris Johnson is expected to make on Monday?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
PA Wire
Leah Sinclair3 April 2021

Boris Johnson is set to reveal four big Covid announcements on Monday, as he continues England’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The prime minister is expected to share updates on holidays, vaccine passports, lockdown and social distancing measures in the UK.

Below, we’ve rundown just what to expect:

Lockdown

Restrictions began to ease on March 29 with outdoor gatherings allowed in groups of up to six and outdoor sports resuming.

However, on Easter Monday, Boris Johnson is due to announce whether Britain can move forward to the next stage of unlocking.

This would allow pub beer gardens, outdoor restaurants, gyms, hairdressers and non-essential shops to reopen for the first time in months.

Outdoor venues such as zoos and drive-in cinemas will also be opening up to the public.

Campsites may also open once more, while weddings and civil partnerships can have up to 15 people attending.

Holidays

Overseas holidays are currently banned due to the UK’s coronavirus lockdown measures, but Boris Johnson plans to make an announcement about lifting restrictions in England.

The PM will give an update on the review into travel abroad and the likelihood of Covid passports.

He will set out how the certificates will work but is also expected to shed light on the new traffic light system.

Countries will be graded either green, amber or red, according to how well they are coping with the pandemic.

Mr Johnson is expected to suggest that June could be the earliest that borders can open - instead of the previously announced date, May 17.

Vaccine passports

Ministers have decided how the vaccine certificates may work and will meet on Monday to decide whether to move forward.

They are expected to be required to visit certain countries overseas, but it is not yet clear how they might be rolled out domestically.

Mr Johnson yesterday stressed that any move towards domestic vaccine passports would involve a three-pronged approach of vaccines, tests or proof of antibodies.

The PM said: "When it comes to trying to make sure that we give maximum confidence to businesses and customers, there are three things — there’s immunity whether you have had it before so you have natural ­antibodies, whether you have been vaccinated, and of course whether you have had a test."

The FA Cup final, FA Cup semi-final, the League Cup final and the World Snooker Championship are said to be taking part in the scheme, with the Brit Awards also in discussions.

Social distancing

On Monday, Mr Johnson is likely to give an update on the government’s current stance on social distancing and whether all restrictions are likely to be eased in June.

Plummeting virus cases and the increase in vaccinations are expected to influence the final decision.

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