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 With more than 120,000 fatalities, Britain has suffered the world's
fifth-highest official death toll from the pandemic and its $3
trillion economy its biggest crash in over 300 years.
But a fast start to the vaccine rollout plus a tough near-two-month
national lockdown means Johnson can now set out a cautious easing of
restrictions in England.
"Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we
will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the
progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every
one of you has made," he said on Twitter.
"Our priority has always been getting children back into school
which we know is crucial for their education and wellbeing. We'll
also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones
safely," he said, ahead of his full announcement in parliament due
at 1530 GMT.
Lawmakers will have a chance later to vote on Johnson's plan.
Authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are
responsible for their own public health, will also ease restrictions
over the coming months.
Overall coronavirus cases hovered around 11,000 a day last week,
compared with a high of over 80,000 in late December.
Nadhim Zahawi, the minister in charge of the vaccine rollout, said
English schools would reopen on March 8. They have been open only to
vulnerable pupils and to key workers' children since Jan. 5, with
all others learning remotely from home.
The reopening of schools is expected to have a positive impact on
the economy, freeing up parents who have had to juggle work and home
schooling.
Zahawi also said on LBC Radio that two people from separate
households would be allowed to meet outdoors from March 8, while
from March 29 outdoor socialising would be permitted for groups of
six people maximum, or for two households together. Outdoor sports
will also be allowed to resume from March 29, he said.
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SPEEDY VACCINE ROLLOUT
Johnson faces pressure from politicians in his ruling Conservative
Party to restart the economy but also from scientific advisers who
fear a resurgence of the virus if he unlocks too quickly.
He has appeared much more cautious in recent months than earlier in
the pandemic, when he was eager to reopen shops, restaurants and
pubs.
Health minister Matt Hancock said on Sunday that after each step to
ease restrictions, there would be a pause of a couple of weeks to
assess the impact before any further relaxation.
Johnson is expected to say the easing of restrictions will be
determined by such factors as the speed and success of the
inoculation programme, the state of infection rates and the impact
of any new variants of the virus.
Britain moved faster than many other Western countries to secure
vaccine supplies and has been inoculating people rapidly since
December, a strategy that has driven sterling and stock markets
higher on hopes of an economic rebound.
The pound hit a new three-year high of $1.4050 in early London
trading on Monday.
Some 17.6 million Britons, over a quarter of the 67 million
population, have now received a first dose, behind only Israel and
the United Arab Emirates in vaccines per head of population. The
government aims to give a first dose to all adults by the end of
July.
(Editing by Gareth Jones)
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