Boris Johnson confirms move to Step 4 of roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed during a televised press briefing that Step 4 of the government’s Roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions will go ahead as planned on 19th July.

The move will see most restrictions lifted, including the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport, limits on social distancing and gathering sizes; night clubs will also reopen for the first time in almost 18 months, and hospitality venues can resume bar service. Government guidance to work from home will also end.

However, while coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, the Prime Minister also urged caution from the public, acknowledging that case numbers would go on climbing after restrictions were eased. While legal mandates will be removed, the government both expects and recommends that face coverings are worn in crowded and enclosed spaces, such as public transport, when mixing with people you don’t normally meet.

The government has made its decision to end restrictions despite rising case numbers, and has argued that the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the UK has meant that the risk of serious illness from the virus is much reduced. It is expected that all adults will have been offered both doses of the vaccine by mid-September, when a booster programme will begin for the most vulnerable groups. Public Health England have suggested that the vaccination programme has so far prevented 8.5 million infections and 30,000 deaths in England.

Guidance to self-isolate on developing Covid-19 symptoms or after a positive Covid-19 test will remain in place in order to break chains of transmission; however, after August 16th, under 18s and those who are fully-vaccinated will not be required to isolate after contact with a confirmed positive case if they do not exhibit symptoms.

Quarantine rules will also remain in place for all those travelling from a red list country, and for amber list countries unless double vaccinated.

In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the pandemic response has been led by their respective devolved administrations and some restrictions will continue to remain in place outside England.