Boris Johnson to host press conference and reveal latest steps out of Covid lockdown; The Prime Minister is expected to confirm that non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality can open from April 12 and discuss testing, holidays and vaccine passports.
Byline: By, Mike Kelly
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to lead an Easter Monday press conference in which he is expected to announce the next steps out of COVID lockdown.
He will also reportedly reveal more about the new proposed vaccine passport scheme and outline his new traffic lights plan for foreign travel.
It comes as restrictions started to ease on March 29, with outdoor gatherings of six people now allowed.
Mr Johnson is expected this afternoon to confirm that pubs and restaurants will be able to start serving customers outdoors from April 12.
Hairdressers will also be able to open, as well as nail salons, gyms and other non-essential retail throwing open their doors.
Mr Johnson, who will be accompanied by England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and Government scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance at 5pm, is expected to say more about plans announced at the weekend for COVID certificates for mass gatherings including at sporting events.
A further social distancing review is looking into ways of allowing closer contact between friends and families, enabling greater capacity on public transport and reduce distancing requirements within venues and workplaces.
While the PM may give an update on this, it's unlikely any changes would take effect until later in the roadmap.
He will also reportedly discuss reports today that everyone in England is to be offered free, twice-weekly coronavirus tests.
The lateral flow tests -which can provide results in around 30 minutes -will be available from Friday, regardless of whether people have symptoms.
Regarding travel, ministers have made clear that overseas travel will not be allowed until at least May 17. And Number 10's Global Travel Taskforce isn't expected to report back until April 12.
But reports suggest the Prime Minister is likely to say progress towards unlocking some overseas travel on May 17 is on course.
The near-blanket ban on overseas travel is expected to be replaced by a risk-based 'traffic light' system with red, amber and green ratings for countries around the world.
Travellers arriving from countries rated 'green' will not be required to isolate -although pre-departure and post-arrival tests will still be needed.
For those classed as 'amber' or 'red', the restrictions will remain as they are with arrivals required to isolate or enter quarantine.
It is not yet clear what countries will be in which category, but reports have suggested Europe could be placed...
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