This is when Boris Johnson will make his roadmap announcement - and what he might say

Boris Johnson is due to make his much-anticipated roadmap out of lockdown announcement today (Monday 22 February).

The prime minister is expected to outline how restrictions in England, in place since 5 January, will be gradually relaxed.

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It comes after Mr Johnson chaired a meeting of senior ministers on Sunday - the “Covid S” committee - to finalise his roadmap.

Here’s what time the announcement will be made - and what you can expect in terms of rules being lifted.

What time is Boris Johnson’s announcement?

The Cabinet will virtually meet at 10am on Monday to sign off Boris Johnson’s plan.

A few hours later, the prime minister will make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons at 3:30pm, announcing the full details of his roadmap out of lockdown.

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The roadmap will also be published on the government’s website when the Parliament speech is made.

At the same time, Public Health England will publish data on vaccine efficacy - how successful the coronavirus jabs are when it comes to reducing hospital numbers, deaths and transmission. This information was crucial in forming the roadmap.

Mr Johnson will then address the nation at 7pm during a Downing Street press conference, where he will outline his roadmap and take questions.

MPs will then vote on the regulations in the coming weeks.

What will Boris Johnson’s roadmap include?

A four-step roadmap has been drawn up, outlining the consecutive stages to relative normality.

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It will include the initial relaxation of measures as well as the restrictions that could be eased in the coming months.

Covid-19 measures will also be relaxed step-by-step across the whole of England, instead of a return to the regional tiered system.

It is thought that the speed of the vaccinations programme has allowed some restrictions to be eased faster than first expected.

Here’s what the roadmap is expected to include:

Schools

Schools in England will reopen for all pupils on 8 March.

Outdoor after-school sports clubs and activities will also be allowed to restart.

Socialising

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People will be able to socialise outside with one friend or relative from another household from 8 March.

This means friends will be able to meet up and sit together in a park for a coffee, drink or picnic.

Current restrictions limit meet-ups to exercise only.

Then, larger groups of six people or two households will be able to meet outside, including in private gardens, from 29 March.

However, the “rule of six” limits and social distancing rules are likely to be in place throughout summer.

Outdoor sport

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Tennis courts, golf courses and other outdoor sport facilities will reopen from 29 March.

Also on this date, organised sport for adults and children, like grassroots football, will be able to restart.

Non-essential retail

Non-essential shops are expected to reopen later in April, if the infection rate remains stable.

Hairdressers might have to wait until the end of that month to reopen.

Hospitality

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The hospitality industry is not due to reopen fully until May.

However, pubs and restaurants could be permitted to serve drinks outside from April if cases continue to fall.

What are the four tests?

As well as outlining the roadmap, Boris Johnson will give details of the four new tests which the government will use to decide whether the country can progress to each stage.

These are:

  • The vaccinations programme continues successfully
  • Data shows that the jabs are effective in reducing hospital numbers and deaths in those inoculated
  • Infection rates do not risk a rapid increase in hospitalisations, which would result in pressure on the NHS
  • The government’s assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of the virus which cause concern.

The government has said the tests are currently being met so the first stage of the roadmap will go ahead on 8 March.

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How can I watch the announcement?

You will be able to watch the prime minister’s announcements live on BBC News and Sky News.

You can also tune in via BBC iPlayer or Sky’s YouTube channel.

Downing Street also streams briefings with sign language interpreting on its YouTube channel, Twitter and Facebook pages.

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