Boris Johnson unveiled latest stage in roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown at Downing St briefing tonight
Health chiefs say infections, hospital admissions and deaths have fallen consistently over the past months
The move means coronavirus is now only in general circulation and transmission is no longer high or rising
Pubs, restaurants and cafes across England will be able to seat customers inside again from Monday, May 17
Hotels, B&Bs, cinemas, theatres and museums are to reopen while limits on funeral mourners are scrapped
COVID-19: UK alert level lowered from 4 to 3 - what it means iwradio.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from iwradio.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
UK health chiefs on Monday agreed to lower the country s COVID-19 alert level from four to three, which indicates that coronavirus transmissions are no longer rising exponentially but are instead in general circulation. The five-level alert system was devised last year to determine the levels of lockdown and social distancing required to keep the rate of infections from the deadly virus under check. As Britain moves through its roadmap of easing lockdowns, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to confirm that more restrictions on indoor gatherings will be lifted from next Monday, the chief medical officers of all four regions of the UK agreed to a change in the alert level with a note of caution.
Hugs with family and friends and indoor socialising will be allowed from next Monday after a further easing of Covid-19 rules in England was confirmed today.
The next stage of the roadmap out of lockdown will go ahead as planned on May 17, with up to six people or two different households allowed to meet indoors.
Most social contact rules outdoors will be lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 outdoors will stay illegal until at least June 21 - the final stage of the roadmap.
But indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas, theatres, museums and soft play areas will all reopen, while indoor adult group sports will restart.
Covid alert level reduced as lockdown set to ease
Experts say all of the data is looking good, although the virus is still in general circulation.
6 days ago|United Kingdom
UK downgrades Covid-19 alert threat level
Chief medical officers lower threat level from 4 to 3, pointing to impact of vaccinations and social distancing
6 days ago|London, United Kingdom
UK lowers COVID alert level to 3
The United Kingdom s chief medical officers on Monday agreed to lower the COVID alert level to 3, which means the epidemic is in general circulation, from 4, which means transmission is high or rising exponentially.
6 days ago|United Kingdom