Boris Johnson announcement: What time is the PM’s Covid speech today, Monday, June 28?
BORIS Johnson will today inform the nation on when lockdown restrictions can be lifted.
Here is when and where you can watch the PM’s Covid announcement, and what he is expected to say.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
What time is the PM’s Covid speech today, Monday, June 28?
Boris Johnson will begin his Covid press briefing later today.
Downing Street has not confirmed what time the conference will kick off, but most throughout the pandemic have started at 5pm or 6pm.
Viewers will be able to tune in on TV and online.
What is Boris Johnson expected to announce?
The PM said earlier this month that Covid cases and hospitalisations were rising too rapidly to lift lockdown restrictions on June 21.
He postponed the so-called ‘Freedom Day’ to July 19, promising a data review to see if this could take place a fortnight earlier on July 5.
Newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he wants to get back to normal “as soon as possible”.
But he isn’t expected to lift lockdown earlier than the planned date of July 19, although he is reportedly “extremely reluctant” to extend measures.
A Cabinet minister said Mr Javid’s appointment “nails on July 19”.
This would mean Mr Johnson ruling out an early lockdown lift, instead announcing the lifting of most, or all, restrictions from this date.
So from next month there could be no face masks, social distancing and all other legal requirements dropped – although the PM will likely highlight that it will be down to personal preference and many may choose to continue to wear face coverings, for example.
Ministers have promised to give one week’s notice to any change of restrictions.
The PM is also likely to provide an update on the UK’s stonking vaccination roll-out – a huge factor in Covid decision-making.
The latest figures show 44,314,799 first doses and a whopping 32,460,191 second jabs have been administered.
NHS England said half of all adults under 30 in England had received a vaccine, with more than 4.2 million people aged 18 to 29 jabbed in three weeks.
When is Sajid Javid’s first Commons statement and what will he say?
Sajid Javid is set to give his first Commons speech since rejoining the Cabinet at around 3.30pm, with ending Covid curbs his “immediate priority”.
The new Health Secretary has vowed to get Britain back to normal “as soon and quickly as possible” after taking over from disgraced predecessor Matt Hancock.
Next Monday – July 5 – is the earliest date when remaining restrictions could be lifted, with the government needing to give notice today of any changes.
The former Chancellor is expected to announce that the target remains July 19.
Speaking outside his new office yesterday, Mr Javid said: “We are still in a pandemic and I want to see that come to an end as soon as possible.
“That will be my most immediate priority to see that we can return to normal as soon and quickly as possible.”
While it is not expected he will bring what is left of lockdown to a close any earlier than July 19, he is reported to be confident the measures will not extend past that date.
As well as the pandemic, Mr Javid has a myriad of issues to deal with such as upcoming NHS reforms, the backlog patients are facing for treatment, and a long-expected social care plan.
He will also face questions over NHS pay and staff burnout, as British Medical Association (BMA) council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul warned he faces a “baptism of fire”.
Mr Javid said he is aware of the “huge responsibility” of the job.
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How can I watch the Covid announcement live?
There are several ways to watch tonight’s Downing Street briefing.
You can tune into The Sun YouTube channel to see the live stream.
Or you can visit our coronavirus blog, which will also provide you with the latest Covid updates.
It will also be broadcast on TV.