The Prime Minister will take to his press conference podium once again this afternoon for another COVID-19 update after a rather eventful week.
Boris Johnson is expected to reveal the government’s plans for the last step in “restoring people’s freedoms” in England as we approach the 19th July – the final lockdown easing date.
With Johnson set to touch on face masks, working from home and the one-metre plus rule in today’s conference, here’s everything you need to know when it comes to watching the briefing.
What time is Boris’ announcement today?
Boris Johnson will address the nation at 5pm today (Monday 5th July).
The briefing follows Matt Hancock’s exit as Health Secretary last week, with former Chancellor of Exchequer Sajid Javid stepping into the role ahead of 19th July – the date set for the final stage of the lockdown easing roadmap.
Until the end of June 2020, the government had been holding daily COVID-19 briefings from Downing Street, but in the time since it has only been addressing the public when there has been significant new information to report.
Where can I watch Boris’ announcement today?
Boris Johnson will deliver a COVID-19 briefing today (5th July) at 5pm, with BBC News and Sky News likely to air the conference.
Previously, the government’s coronavirus briefings have caused schedule changes for broadcasters, with programmes shuffled around to make way for the briefings.
Who is leading today’s coronavirus briefing?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be leading today’s coronavirus briefing.
In previous instances, conferences have been led by the likes of Grant Shapps, Matt Hancock and Rishi Sunak, with Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam, NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens, England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance in supporting roles.
Government figures have also been joined by other medical and science experts including NHS England’s regional medical director for London Dr Vin Diwakar.
What will be included in today’s announcement?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to reveal the final step of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown in this afternoon’s briefing ahead of the 19th July restrictions easing date.
The date was delayed by four weeks during Johnson’s last briefing, from the 21st June to 19th July, after cases of a more contagious variant of COVID-19 rose across the UK.
Today’s briefing will see Johnson lay out plans for the future of face coverings, working from home, care home visits and the one-metre plus rule to give businesses enough time to prepare for lockdown easing – however, we won’t know until the 12th July whether the government’s four tests (an effective vaccine programme, evidence the vaccines are working, a manageable infection rate and low risk of variants) have worked.
Health Minister Helen Whately did however tell Sky News this morning that the country is “on track to take that final fourth stage of the roadmap on 19th July”.
Will Boris Johnson be at the coronavirus briefing?
Yes, Boris Johnson will be leading today’s coronavirus briefing at 5pm.
Johnson has led several press briefings in recent months, which have been used to declare crucial information, such as the announcement of the third national lockdown and updates on the UK’s vaccination programme.
Other ministers who have led briefings in the past include former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Has Boris Johnson had coronavirus?
Johnson announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday 27th March 2020 via a video on his Twitter account.
Nine days later he was admitted into hospital and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab deputised in his absence.
Johnson was discharged on Sunday 12th April and returned to work on the week commencing 27th April.
In November 2020, he underwent another period of self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who tested positive.
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