The Government has announced a four step plan to ease lockdown in England. The first stage is set to begin on 8 March.

Each step forward on the roadmap will only be taken if four key objectives have been met ahead of each proposed relaxation of restrictions. These are:

• 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.

It’s important that we all continue to stay at home and follow the hands-face-space guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus. See the current national lockdown guidance for a reminder what you can and can’t do at present.