Covid news - live: Boris Johnson reveals end of lockdown roadmap as Whitty backs five-week gap between stages

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, explained the importance of the five-week gap between stages in the road map.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said: “The reason for that is that inevitably for each one of these steps we are taking a risk which is an accepted risk - there is a risk to this, and everybody in the country I’m sure understands this.

“And what we want to do is after each set of risks with a particular set of opening up, wait until we have data that tells us, has this done what we expected it to do, have we actually ended up in a slightly worse place than we thought we would, or have indeed we ended up in a slightly better place?

“But I think the big worry is, have things got slightly worse than we were expecting, and we cannot measure that in less than about four weeks because it takes that long for the effect to be seen and the data to come through and be analysed.

“So that’s the reason for the five-week gap, because it allows us to see whether it’s had an effect and then to make a judgment as to whether that’s material to making the next decision.”

University students on practical courses are set to return to campus for in-person teaching next month - a measure which has been welcomed by sector leaders.

From 8 March, university students on practical courses, such as science and engineering, who need to access specialist facilities and equipment can return to in-person teaching and learning.

According to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, research labs and libraries can be kept open if needed, with campuses to provide twice-weekly coronavirus testing to staff and students.

For all remaining university students, the Government said it will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, options for pupils to return to campus, with students and institutions to be given a week’s notice ahead of any return.

Professor Julia Buckingham, president of Universities UK, which represents 140 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, said the announcement was a “long-awaited boost” for students.

She said: “Universities look forward to welcoming these students back to Covid-secure campuses from 8 March, where safety measures including serial asymptomatic testing and social distancing will be in place to ensure the risk of transmission remains low.

“While today’s news is positive for some students, it will be disappointing for others that had hoped the Government would have allowed them to return.

“There will also need to be a further focus on supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing in the weeks ahead.”

PA

Patrick Dardis, chief executive of pub giant Young’s, said Boris Johnson’s roadmap meant the pub sector would be “burning cash” for another three months.

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme whether the Government target of allowing pubs to serve outdoor customers by 12 April and indoors by 17 May was better than the hospitality industry had hoped for, Mr Dardis said: “No, it is a whole lot worse than we had been expecting.

“Non-essential retail are allowed to open on 12 April and the pub sector, a huge part of our culture in the UK, was first to close and last to open.

“We were hoping to be able to open in April and worst-case scenario was that we’d be opening on the first week in May.

“So 17 May - at the earliest, I may add - is three months away and three months away means that the pub sector and the wider sector which employs 3.5 million people will be burning cash for another three months.

“So no, it is not great. The only positive, I would say - and I’m trying to find a positive - is that he has laid out set dates, albeit with caveats (for easing restrictions).”

The government is considering the introduction of “Covid status certificates” as part of plans for the phased reopening of society, Boris Johnson has said.

The prime minister said there will be a review into the policy, which was previously dismissed by a number of senior ministers.

My colleague Samuel Lovett reports:

As the prime minister continues to take questions about his statement on how lockdown restrictions will be lifted over the next few months, let’s take a look at what scientists are saying about the measures.

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in Global Health at the University of Southampton, commented on the return of pupils to the classrooms on 8 March, saying a “more cautious approach with a phased return would be better” in his view.

However, he said that as indoor spaces will remain closed, “hopefully this will still allow community transmission to come under control”.

“Overall, this roadmap looks broadly sensible,” said Dr Head. “With the vaccine rollout going so well, this will allow for a safer environment for staff and users when indoor workplaces like pubs, restaurants and office spaces do open again.

“The prime minister did start off his announcement with the declaration that ‘We will be driven by data, not dates’, but then went on to provide a whole series of dates. One aspect that looks a little curious are the four tests that will be used to allow the next stage of intervention to be lifted.  There is not yet any suggestion as to how these tests could be met,” he added.

“It is important that there is clarity here as to what measures will indicate a successful ‘pass’ onto the next phase of reopening, and that there is also flexibility in the timeframe the prime minister has mentioned.”

Professor Russell Viner, professor of adolescent health at University College London, said it was “essential” to balance the risks of schools not reopening with the potential for schools to increase infection rates.

“Schools undoubtedly play a role in transmission of this pandemic, particularly secondary schools. Yet the evidence suggests that transmission can be very much reduced when effective control measures are used in schools,” he said, adding that schools “should be the first part of society to reopen after lockdown”.

The Labour shadow secretary of state has said it “makes no sense” for the government not to announce new economic support, as Boris Johnson announced his roadmap for lifting restrictions in the country today.

Angela Rayner tweeted: “Health restrictions must be accompanied by proper economic support.

“It makes no sense to announce that businesses will be closed for weeks - if not months - without announcing new economic support. After the last year our businesses really cannot wait for the Budget next month.”

The chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to announce the spring Budget on 3 March, and is expected to lay out his taxation and spending plans for the next year.

Boris Johnson has announced that financial support for jobs and livelihoods will continue “for the duration of the pandemic”, telling MPs the government “will not pull the rug out” from under businesses and workers”.

However, the prime minister was accused of “dithering and delaying” after he said that details of precisely what help will be retained will not be revealed until chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget on 3 March.

Andrew Woodcock has the full story:

Businesses based around theatres and the night time economy have welcomed Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown, but are urging the government to continue providing financial support as many will have to remain closed till 21 June at the earliest.

Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said: “We welcome the government’s roadmap announcement as the country takes the first steps towards easing lockdown - in particular, the news that theatre and live arts can resume performances from step three, as early as 17 May.

“The real route back for the sector, however, will be the step four announcements hopefully enabling full auditoriums from 21 June. While our theatres remain closed, we urge the chancellor to continue with the financial support packages needed for businesses and individuals.”

 Caroline Norbury, chief executive of the Creative Industries Federation, called for urgent further Budget interventions following Mr Johnson’s roadmap.

Ms Norbury said: “Today’s roadmap includes some welcome milestones for reopening parts of the UK’s creative industries, including our world-leading theatres, cinemas and live events. However, it is critical that everyone in our sector is supported until they are able to resume normal levels of operation, which could be well beyond summer.

“It is vital that the Job Retention Scheme and Self Employment Income Support Scheme are extended, and support must also be guaranteed for the many who continue to fall through the gaps of existing schemes. Further Budget interventions, including Creative Industries Tax Reliefs and a Government-backed insurance scheme for live events, are urgently needed.

“The creative sector is integral to the future of the UK. With the right support, it can not only bounce back, it can drive the UK’s economic recovery, regenerating our towns and cities, creating jobs and making our communities happier, healthier places for everyone.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “We are pleased to hear within the prime minister’s statement the inclusion of a timeline for night time economy businesses, in particular some of the hardest hit businesses, many of which have been closed since March 2020, like nightclubs, bars and casinos.

“Despite this, our evidence suggests that 85 per cent of those who work in the night time economy are considering leaving the sector. The sector urgently needs additional clarity on reopening and critical financial support from the chancellor if we are to avoid economic and social damage that will last a generation.”