PRESSING TIME
Boris Johnson to hold major Downing Street press conference at 7pm TODAY to reveal Covid rule changes
BORIS Johnson will hold a press conference tonight as the era of national lockdowns and Covid restrictions finally comes to an end in England.
The Prime Minister is expected to announce he's "finally giving people back their freedom" at a 7pm briefing in Downing St.
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Professor Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance will be joining him.
Mr Johnson long-awaited announcement got off to a rocky start when Cabinet was delayed because of a row over cash for testing.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid were understood to be at loggerheads over who pays once free lateral flows are wound down.
He is poised to unveil his 'Living with Covid Plan', with Thursday earmarked as Freedom Day.
Under the scheme, he'll scrap self-isolation rules.
The vaccination programme, testing, and other new treatments such as anti-viral drugs will keep people safe, he will say.
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Speaking before his announcement, Mr Johnson said: "Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country's history as we begin to learn to live with Covid.
"It would not be possible without the efforts of so many - the NHS who delivered the life-saving vaccine rollout at phenomenal speed, our world-leading scientists and experts, and the general public for their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.
"The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others."
It comes as Brits who haven't yet had their boosters have been urged to get their vital shot, as restrictions lift.
Tonight's address to the nation may be the last of the pandemic.
The PM is expected to tell MPs of his plans for the future upon their return from Parliament's February recess today before speaking to Brits from Downing Street.
Under the scheme, free lateral flow and PCR tests - which cost the taxpayer £2billion a week - will end.
It means twice-weekly testing for kids in schools will also halt.
The decision not to insist on isolation means millions of pupils will be free to stay in school if they contract the virus.
Guidance will instead focus on ventilation and other safety measures to keep children and teachers safe.
Passenger locator travel forms for foreign trips are likely to be binned later in the spring.
And the daily Covid dashboard, which for two years has illustrated the death toll of the virus, could be replaced with weekly surveillance data.
However, the PM has warned Covid "will not suddenly disappear", with Brits encouraged to be responsible and limit the spread.
"We need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms," he said.
Millions of elderly and vulnerable could be offered six-monthly top-up jabs.
Ministers have already secured 114million vaccine doses for the next two years.
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The good news comes as 85 per cent of the UK's population are now double-vaccinated. A further 38m booster jabs have been administered.
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No10 has said: "Government intervention in people's lives can now finally end."
Daily Covid cases are at their lowest levels for six months, with 25,696 positive tests yesterday and 74 deaths.
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