THE route out of a national lockdown will be unveiled today as the Prime Minister sets out his vision to ease coronavirus restrictions. 

Boris Johnson is due to set out the country’s route out of lockdown on Monday, February 22 as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he wants to ensure measures are eased ‘carefully and cautiously’. 

Mr Johnson has already held a Covid committee meeting on Sunday, February 21 to discuss the final details of the plans and will chair a meeting with his Cabinet this morning.

Covid-19 cases across Dorset and around the county have continued to decrease during the third national lockdown and have fallen to pre-lockdown levels.

When will Boris Johnson announce his roadmap out of lockdown?

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The Prime Minister will address Parliament at 3.30pm where he will outline his vision to ease lockdown restrictions, explain why he has taken these measures and take questions from MPs in the House of Commons.

He will lead a press conference at Number 10 alongside Professor Chris Whitty and scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance at 7pm on Monday evening. 

This is largely expected to be a repeat of what he will say in Parliament, but will expand on any points made and take questions from the media. 

Professor Chris Whitty and scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance will likely address the scientific reasoning behind the roadmap and easing of restrictions.

The 'roadmap' for exiting lockdown will be heavily reliant on the latest data alongside figures of cases, deaths and hospital admissions.

What can we expect from the lockdown announcement?

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Schools are expected to reopen in MarchSchools are expected to reopen in March

It is understood that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell MPs that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from Monday, March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.

Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted in a fortnight when the rules are relaxed to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.

A further easing of restrictions will take place on Monday, March 29 when the school Easter holidays begin – with larger groups allowed to gather in parks and gardens.

The “rule of six” will return along with new measures allowing two households totalling more than six people to meet – giving greater flexibility for families and friends.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen at the end of next month.

And organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – can return from March 29.

However, Number 10 insisted that the “stay at home” message would remain in place despite the relaxation of some restrictions.

The measures form the first of four steps in the road map which the Prime Minister is set to outline in a statement to the Commons on Monday afternoon.

What is the lockdown roadmap based upon?

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: People walking along Weymouth seafront during the third national lockdown People walking along Weymouth seafront during the third national lockdown

Boris Johnson’s roadmap will involve four tests for easing restrictions, which the Government has said are currently being met.

The Government uses these tests to assess the impact of unlocking in England at each stage.

These include: 

  • The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
  • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
  • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
  • The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.