Covid alert level reduced as lockdown set to ease

The UK’s coronavirus alert level is being lowered from four to three on the advice of experts.

The chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales said the decision to downgrade was thanks to the efforts of the UK public in bringing Covid rates down.

Cases, hospitalisations and deaths have all decreased.

Although the virus is still in general circulation, transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially.

And vaccines are having the desired protective effect.

A statement from the chief medical officers for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales as well as NHS England national medical director Stephen Powys said: “Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing, and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently.

“However Covid is still circulating, with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant. This remains a major pandemic globally.

“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”