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Boris Johnson drops biggest hint yet June 21 might be pushed back as he warns cases and hospitalisations are rising
BORIS Johnson dropped his starkest hint yet tonight that June 21's Freedom Day will be delayed.
Striking a gloomy tone, the PM warned cases and hospitalisations were creeping up in parts of the country - and refused to commit to unlocking in two weeks.
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It is the first time in weeks he hasn't said there remains "nothing in the data" that risks derailing the roadmap.
The news comes as cases in the UK today rose by 7,540 in the highest leap in daily infections since February.
It is the highest rise since February 26 when 7,710 new cases were recorded.
Speaking as he touched down in Cornwall for the G7 today, the PM said: "On Monday… we'll have a look at where we are.
"I think what everybody can see very clearly is that cases are going up, and in some cases hospitalisations are going up.
"What we need to assess is the extent to which the vaccine rollout, which has been phenomenal, has built up protection in the population in order for us to go ahead to the next stage. And so that's what we'll be looking at."
But in a chink of hope he said there were strong arguments on both sides of the unlocking debate.
Another minister today suggested June 21 might be delayed today - saying people should "wait until you've heard from the PM" before making more plans.
Robert Jenrick was grilled over whether the unlocking should go ahead as planned later this month - but said it was still too early to say for sure.
He was asked if the 30 person limit on weddings and gatherings would be lifted in time, as many are worried that there may be a two week delay to full freedom.
Ministers are worried about the spread of the Indian variant and rising cases, which is seeing more people go into hospital too.
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Boris Johnson is due to make an announcement on Monday on whether to ditch all the Covid rules from June 21, or to keep some for longer to keep Covid cases under control.
Ministers have repeatedly stressed it's too early to make a decision, but they will keep all options on the table.
Mr Jenrick said this morning: "The PM is reviewing the data and more data is coming in, which is very important.
"It's a finely balanced decision and we need to see that data of cases, which are clearly rising, and the link to hospitalisations and ultimately deaths.
"What I do think is important is we don't throw away the gains we've made, so we are going to take a cautious approach.
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"But if we can proceed with that reopening on June 21 then all of us would love to see that for our own lives and the livelihoods that depend on that further reopening."
He added on whether rules on weddings would be relaxed: "I wouldn't make plans until you've heard from the PM, if that's important to you. But weddings can go ahead now, just with a maximum of 30 guests.
"We have always said that the roadmap is subject to review of the data. That is what is happening right now, so whether it is weddings or international travel or any of these other important topics, you always have to wait until the judgement is made on the basis of the data at the decision point."
All Covid rules were expected to be binned on June 21 - including social distancing, masks, work from home advice, and meeting in groups.
At the moment people still have to stay apart from those they don't live with, and wear masks in shops and public transport.
People can meet in groups of up to 30 outside, and just six inside to stop the spread of the virus.
The Sun revealed last week Freedom Day could be delayed by a fortnight under plans being looked at.
It has also been suggested a delay of a month may be needed to coincide with the start of the school summer holidays.
The India mutation is now the dominant one in Britain, with 6,000 new cases recorded yesterday.
But as the vaccination programme has rolled on, fewer people are landing in hospital.
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This week people aged 25 - 30 were called to come forward and book their jabs - sparking queues of 12,000 on the NHS website.
But some are still catching Covid and having to go into hospital for treatment.
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