Shops, hairdressers and pub beer gardens will be able to reopen from April 12 in England with the country on course to meet the Government's roadmap, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.
Confirming the next step on the road map out of lockdown, Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference he was looking forward to a pint of beer in a week’s time.
But he said the difficulties facing countries in Europe illustrated the risks still posed by the pandemic.
The Prime Minister said he did not think, based on the current data, that there would be any deviation from his road map out of lockdown.
He said: “We set out our road map and we’re sticking with it.
“And I want to stress that we see nothing in the present data that makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map.
“But it is by being cautious, by monitoring the data at every stage and by following the rules – remembering hand, face, space, fresh air – that we hope together to make this road map to freedom irreversible.”
Documents published by the Government confirmed that a traffic light system would be introduced to cover international travel, though foreign holidays would not be allowed any time before May 17.
Mr Johnson said there was “absolutely no question” of people having to show a vaccine passport to go to the pub or hairdresser when lockdown eases further on Monday.
He told a Downing Street briefing: “On Covid status certification, as we prefer to call it, the most important thing to say to everybody listening and watching is there’s absolutely no question of people being asked to produce certification or a Covid status report when they go to the shops or to the pub garden or to their hairdressers or whatever on Monday.
“And indeed we are not planning that for stage three either, May 17 as you know we are hoping to go for the opening up of indoor hospitality and so on.
“We are not planning for anything of that kind at that stage.”
Mr Johnson also encouraged people to use free NHS tests as part of the drive to identify cases without symptoms.
Claire Walker, co-executive director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is great news. Many firms will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that they will soon be able to reopen their doors to customers. The last year has taken a heavy toll on firms across the UK and they will be counting down the hours until they can begin trading and rebuilding their businesses.
“However, the route back to a full reopening of the economy is still a long way off, with continued uncertainty for some sectors about whether, and when, the next roadmap steps will be met, and many more firms asking questions, yet to be answered, about when they can open at full capacity or with fewer restrictions.
“The latest BCC Quarterly Economic Survey has shown that businesses are becoming more optimistic about the future. But that confidence is fragile and absolute clarity and honesty will be needed every step of the way over the weeks ahead, so that companies have a fighting chance to rebuild."
