The UK’s coronavirus alert level has been reduced from four to three as lockdown measures are gradually lifted throughout the country.
Announcing the update on Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed it as a ‘big moment’ for the UK.
He said: ‘The UK moving to a lower alert level is a big moment for the country, and a real testament to the British people’s determination to beat this virus.’
The announcement follows the reopening of non-essential retail earlier this week, which saw high streets open again across England.
What are the next steps of lockdown and when could the next announcement take place?
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When is the next lockdown review in the UK?
The next review of lockdown is expected to take place on June 25 – four weeks after the last review, which took place on May 28.
Previously, the Government stated it would review restrictions every three weeks but Mr Hancock extended this to every four weeks earlier this month.
In a statement he said: ‘To ensure we are making future decisions about the lockdown at the right time the maximum review period will change from 21 days to 28.
‘This will allow decisions to align more closely with the period of time necessary to assess the impact of previous changes on key data feeds, including the R rate.’
Lockdown restrictions were previously reviewed every 21 days.
Because lockdown measures vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each country will review their measures on slightly different dates.
Lockdown measures were reviewed in Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland respectively on 18 June, as each of the devolved governments are still reviewing measures every 21 days.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock told the BBC on Sunday that England is ‘clearly on track’ to further ease lockdown and that the next steps in their plan will be announced to the public this week.
‘That review (on the two-metre rule) will come to bear this week and we will be setting out further details this week on the measures in that space. We’re going to set out those details absolutely this week.’
It has been reported the Prime Minister will give hairdressers the green-light to reopen from July 4 and that foreign holidays could also resume from this date.
There has been no date announced for the reopening of pubs or the hospitality sector at large, but previous guidance stated they would not resume until July 4, at the earliest.
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