
Ian Payne 4am - 7am
23 February 2021, 11:07 | Updated: 23 February 2021, 12:16
Boris Johnson 'very optimistic' about removing all Covid restrictions
Boris Johnson has said he is "very optimistic" about removing all of England's Covid restrictions by June 21 after he revealed his four-step roadmap out of lockdown.
Speaking at a school in south London, the Prime Minister told reporters that "obviously nothing can be guaranteed" but said "we can really look at that June 21 date with some optimism."
He spoke after unveiling his four-stage road map on Monday, which he said will bring "incomparably better" lives in spring and summer.
The plan aims to get life in England back to as close to normal as possible by July based on four tests, with the Government set to examine the data at each stage before unlocking further.
Mr Johnson said: "I'm hopeful but obviously nothing can be guaranteed and it all depends on the way we continue to be prudent and continue to follow the guidance in each stage.
We are on a 'one way road to freedom', says PM
"Genuinely because of the immense possibilities of the rollout, because science has given us this way of creating a shield around our population, we can really look at that June 21 date with some optimism.
"I think that's how I would put it. I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to get there."
He added: "Some people will say that we're going to be going too fast, some people will say we're going too slow.
"I think the balance is right, I think it is a cautious but irreversible approach, which is exactly what people want to see.
"Getting kids back into school, massively important for the country, we need time to assess what that does to the disease, to the prevalence of Covid.
"And then again when you look at the April 12 openings, you need to look at the impact of that, what does non-essential retail do, the opening of hospitality and so on. You're adding to the budget of risk and you need time to observe the impact of that.
"So we think it's a sensible approach, a prudent approach, but also as I think people can see it goes on irreversibly and we open up on June 21 in a way that I don't think people would have really thought possible had it not been for the rollout of the vaccinations."
Nick Ferrari pushes Matt Hancock on introducing vaccine passports
Each step will be in place for at least five weeks before experts asses whether it is safe to proceed to the next one.
In the first step of the "road map", all pupils in England's schools are expected to return to class from March 8, with wider use of face masks and testing in secondaries.
Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted from that date.
A further easing will take place on March 29, when the school Easter holidays begin, with larger groups of up to six people or two households allowed to gather in parks and gardens.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister said over 17.7 million people have now received at least one Covid-19 dose, meaning "there is light ahead" as a result of the vaccination programme.
Step 1
March 8
March 29
Step 2 - after five weeks of Step 1, no earlier than April 12
Step 3 - after five weeks of Step 2, no earlier than May 17
Step 4 - after at least five weeks of Step 3, no earlier than June 21