Covid-19: PM to unveil 'cautious' plan to lift England's lockdown

All schools in England are expected to reopen on 8 March as part of the prime minister's "cautious" four-part plan to lift the coronavirus lockdown.Boris Johnson will share his finalised "road map" with ministers later, before unveiling it to MPs and then leading a news conference at 19:00 GMT.It is understood that up to six people or two households will be allowed to meet outdoors from 29 March.Rules will be lifted in phases and four conditions must be met at each stage.It is understood that the first phase will be split into two parts:Phase one, part one (from 8 March) - All schools expected to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed. Recreation in a public space - such as a park - could be allowed between two people, meaning they would be allowed to sit down for a coffee, drink or picnicPhase one, part two (from 29 March) - Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households are expected be allowed, including in private gardens. Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts could reopen and organised adult and children's sport, such as grassroots football, could also returnAlso on 8 March, new rules will allow each care home resident in England to have one regular visitor, who they can hold hands with.And from 29 March it is also understood that people will once again be able to travel out of their areas - although guidance will likely still recommend staying local, and overnight stays will not be permitted.Data will be used to inform "every step" of lifting restrictions, Mr Johnson said."We will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe," he added.The four conditions that must be met at each phase of lockdown easing are:The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to planEvidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatmentInfection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissionsNew variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictionsDowning Street said the four tests are currently being met so the first step of lockdown easing in England will proceed as planned on 8 March.The first stage of easing restrictions will be across the whole of England, Downing Street added, due to the current uniform spread of the virus.MPs will be given the chance to vote on the regulations enabling England's road map in the coming weeks.What's perhaps most interesting about the four tests for the road map is that a rise in infection levels is not, in itself, a barrier to easing restrictions further.Some members of the scientific community, as well as some teaching unions, believe any increase should not be tolerated.But, instead, infection rates are only being seen as a problem by the government if they risk a surge in hospitalisations.That's important. The government's advisers do not consider schools to be a significant driver of infections. But reopening to all pupils could certainly lead to some increase.The rollout of the vaccination programme, however, weakens the direct link between infections and hospital admissions.That's not to say a surge in infections can or will be tolerated - the number of Covid patients in hospital is still only just below where it was in the first peak.What's more, high rates of infection at a time when vaccines are being given provides an ideal breeding ground for mutations.But it's clear the progress made has created some wriggle room.