In a speech on Monday 15 February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the national vaccination programme surpassed the target set 6 weeks ago, as it reaches a milestone of more than 15 million people vaccinated across the UK. More than 90% of those aged over 70 in the UK have now been vaccinated.
However, he said this is “no moment to relax” as the “the threat from this virus remains very real”. This was followed by confirmation that he will be setting out a roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday 22 February. This will detail “as much as we possibly can about the route to normality even though some things are very uncertain”, as he said he wants the current lockdown to be the nation’s last, and for progress to be ‘cautious but irreversible’.
Speaking at a Welsh mass-vaccination centre on Wednesday 17 February, he said the relaxation of measures would be done in “stages” and that the reopening of hospitality was one of the last things to return after the first lockdown. He says it is “absolutely right” to take a “data not dates” approach to leaving lockdown, stressing England will ease measures “cautiously”.
Commenting on the latest announcements, Sharon Smith, Chief Executive, said:
“The last year has taken a heavy toll on businesses with not much positive news to celebrate. This milestone in the vaccination programme will however provide businesses with hope that the economy will now slowly start to rebuild. Clearer details of the phased reopening from lockdown along with further acceleration to the vaccination effort will be what reinstates business confidence.”
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