From today, across England we are proceeding to Step Four of the Prime Minister’s Roadmap. As we are all aware the Covid-19 pandemic is not over, so as we approach Step Four we do so with caution.
Last week the Prime Minister set out that now is the right moment to proceed, given we have the natural firebreak of the school holidays starting from today. To delay Stage Four until the autumn would run the risk of re-opening as the weather gets colder, giving the virus a natural advantage.
As part of today’s reopening the Government have issued guidance for businesses including our hospitality sector and for people using public transport. We have updated our guidance for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable and we will maintain a robust border policy, including quarantine for those arriving from red list countries.
Test, Trace and Isolate will continue to be a vital tool in the fight against Covid-19 but the single biggest thing that everyone can do to help fight the pandemic is get a jab.
Our vaccination programme has been a huge success with two-thirds of all adults now having two jabs – so I would encourage everyone to come forward for their jabs as soon as possible.