Coronavirus lockdown rules latest – 60m Novavax jabs to be made in UK as PM warns Brits of third wave threat from Europe

SIR LENNY HENRY URGES BLACK BRITS TO GET VACCINATED

Sir Lenny Henry is urging black Britons to get jabbed as data shows they are up to 4.7 times more likely not to have had their Covid vaccine.

The comic has written a powerful letter urging people “not to get left behind” in the immunisation blitz.

Sir Lenny said vaccination is key to families once again sharing “hugs, celebrations and watching the football and cricket together”.

He added: “We know change needs to happen and that it’s hard to trust some institutions and authorities.

“But we’re asking you to trust the facts about the vaccine from our own professors, doctors . . . not just in the UK but across the world.”

NOVAVAX JAB JOY FOR THE UK - BUT MOCKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline will use its plant at Barnard Castle, Co Durham, to bottle the new Novavax jab, currently pending a green light from the regulator.

Monday's Barnard Castle jab revelation came almost a year to the day since the PM’s then-aide Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules with a day trip to the market town.

He later claimed he was testing his eyesight, and the subsequent row over the Brexit guru’s visit knocked the Government for six.

Social media erupted at the Barnard Castle jab news, with the Prime Minister’s supporters declaring the choice of town as “epic banter” while critics accused him of “trolling the public”.

BORIS JOHNSON - 'THRILLED TO PLAY TENNIS'

With cooped-up Brits flocking outside for long-awaited meet-ups, Boris Johnson said: “I know how much it will have meant to millions of people to have joined someone else for a cup of tea in the garden.”

Organised sports were also once again allowed across the country, with busy golf courses, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools.

Stressing the benefits of exercise to build “resilience” to Covid, Mr Johnson said: “I am personally thrilled that I will be able to play tennis, for instance.”

He went on: “We can take advantage of this moment and the beautiful weather to play sport, to take exercise, to have fun and build our national resilience in that way too.”

EXERCISE PUSH FOR LOCKED-DOWN BRITS

The PM said Brits could boost resilience to Covid by getting fit in the sun — and revealed 60million new jabs will be made in the UK.

Boris Johnson said he could not wait to play tennis again as lockdown is eased.

He added: “We can take advantage of this beautiful weather to build national resilience.”

The new Novavax jab is also being produced in the North East, he said.

He hailed the “significant new weapon in the armoury” against the virus as we took a “small step to freedom” on Monday, March 29.

HOLS ON HOLD FOR BRITS... CONTINUED

When asked about whether Brits would be able to travel abroad to see their families, Boris Johnson told Monday's press conference the most important thing was to continue vaccinating people in "great numbers".

The PM added he'll soon reveal "what the global travel taskforce has come up with".

But sources told The Sun: "Don’t expect a firm date then.”

The PM said: "We will be saying more about seeing family abroad and travel abroad, but it won't be until at least April 5.

"Clearly at the moment, lots of countries are on a red list, where we have very stringent measures in place."

HOLS ON HOLD FOR BRITS

Ministers will keep holidaymakers on tenterhooks for weeks to come over foreign jaunts, The Sun can reveal.

Next week’s review of international travel will likely conclude that it's too soon to say when the borders can be reopened.

Government sources say “the picture is still too bleak to make a clear decision.”

It was hoped that foreign travel could resume by May 17, but Europe's brutal Covid third wave has cast huge doubt on that date.

Speaking at his press conference last night the PM confirmed that an update on holidays will be unveiled on April 5, Easter Monday.

JOHNSON URGES CAUTION AS LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS EASE IN ENGLAND

Boris Johnson has appealed to the public to exercise caution as coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England are eased, amid fears of a new wave of the disease spreading into the UK from Europe.

At a Downing Street press conference the PM acknowledged it had been a "big day" for many people as they were able to see friends and family outdoors for the first time since the latest controls were imposed.

However, he said it was still not clear how "robust" the defences provided by the vaccination programme would prove if the rise in infections on the continent was repeated in the UK.

He said: "What we don't know is exactly how strong our fortifications now are, how robust our defences are against another wave. We have seen what is happening with our European friends.

"Historically, at least there has been a time lag and then we have had a wave ourselves. That's why I stress the importance of everybody maintaining the discipline people have shown for so long."

WUHAN LAB LEAK THEORY 'REMAINS OPEN'

The boss of the World Health Organisation has said the theory about the Wuhan lab leak “remains open” but “needs further study” after it was accused of a whitewash over its China probe.

An interim report by the investigators was scrapped after it was widely condemned as a whitewash with claims experts had performed a U-turn on their original theories.

Despite their investigation, the team never came to a solid conclusion.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency had received the report over the weekend from the international experts who had gone to Wuhan to investigate the origins of the Covid-19 virus that has killed millions of people worldwide.

“All hypotheses are open from what I read from the report,” Tedros told a virtual press conference in Geneva today, adding that they “will need further study”.

MATT HANCOCK SAYS DOOR 'IS NOT SHUT' FOR FOREIGN HOLIDAYS

Matt Hancock has said the door "is not shut" for foreign holidays this summer.

The Health Secretary said more will be known from Government scientists over the next few weeks.

Asked if there may be foreign holidays this summer, he said: “There may well be, I wouldn’t rule that out.

“The door is not shut, it’s just too early to say, but what we can say with confidence is that the unlocking at home is on track.”

TRIPLE COVID SHOTS LINED UP FOR BRITS

Brits may need a third dose of the Covid vaccine in the autumn, the Health Secretary has said - while Chris Whitty warned of "concerning" new variants of the deadly bug.

Matt Hancock said scientists are working on new vaccines to target new variants, one of which is believed to be made by Novavax.

Asked about how it will ever be possible to travel again on This Morning, Mr Hancock told Holly and Phil: “We are also working on a new vaccine that we might have to roll out in the autumn to give people a third dose that will deal with this problem. So we are working on that now.

“There might be a third dose in the autumn.”

Speaking of the problem with foreign travel, he said: “On the international side, there are these new variants. And they’re a worry so we are being really cautious on international travel."

COVID CERTIFICATES MAY BE USED FOR OFFICE RETURN

Covid certificates could be used to allow offices to reopen without social distancing once most adults are vaccinated, it was reported today.

Ministers are reportedly examining plans to get Brits back to the workplace - and a review led by Michael Gove will look at whether 'vaccination passports' could be used.

Asked about the wider plan for Covid identity documents at the weekend, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the BBC: "We’re looking at the civil liberties concerns about it, we’re looking at the practicality of it.

"But also we’re looking at the benefits it could bring in the way that you described in order to facilitate further easing of the economy and allowing us to get back to doing the things that we love.

"Of course we would never look to do this on a permanent basis. It’s just whether it might be a tool in the short run."

PROF WHITTY - 'DON'T MIX INDOORS OVER EASTER'

England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty today warned people not to mix indoors with others this Easter - even if they've had two Covid vaccines.

He said tonight: "We therefore anticipate that as there is gradual unlocking in the way the Prime Minister has described, it is inevitable that there will be some increase in the number of cases.

"Because the people who are most likely to catch and transmit Covid are in that younger, unvaccinated group."

The expert also said that he was most worried about new variants being imported in.

'WILL BE MORE COVID DEATHS IN UK' - PM

Boris Johnson today stressed people "must proceed with caution" as the nation unlocks - and warned there WILL be more Covid infections and deaths in the months ahead.

Speaking at tonight's No10 press conference alongside Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, he urged people to be careful and continue to follow the rules.

It was only after "months of sacrifice that we can take this small step towards freedom today", he added, and that people have "overwhelmingly" obeyed the rules. "We must proceed with caution."

The PM said it was "inevitable" that the wave hitting Europe would affect us in the coming months.

"That wave is still rising across the Channel," he warned.

DIVISIVE BLOC TOLD ‘WE DON’T NEED EU’ FOR JABS... CONTINUED

The PM told today's press conference: "At the same time as we push forwards with our programme to offer a vaccination to all adults by the end of July, we’re building up our own long-term UK manufacturing capabilities.

"Novavax, a potentially significant new weapon in our armoury against Covid, is going to be made at FujiFilm in the North East.

"I can today announce that the Vaccine Taskforce has reached an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to finish and bottle this precious fluid also in the North East, giving us between 50 and 60 million doses of UK made vaccine subject to the right approvals from the MHRA."

Health secretary Matt Hancock added: "We've all seen just how important onshore vaccine manufacturing capabilities are, and this fantastic deal will ensure more of these vital products can be produced here in the UK.

"Should the Novavax vaccine meet our medicines regulator’s high standards of safety and effectiveness, the agreement reached today will boost these efforts over the coming months.”

DIVISIVE BLOC TOLD 'WE DON'T NEED EU' FOR JABS

Boris Johnson has tonight unveiled a new jab super factory to wean Britain off foreign made vaccine supplies in light of the EU's export ban threats.

The PM revealed the mega facility will be set up in the Red Wall after green-eyed Brussels threatened to cut off shipments from plants on the continent.

The plant run by drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline in Barnard Castle, County Durham, will be tasked with finishing and bottling 60 million doses starting in May.

It will be used to process the Novavax jab, which is currently awaiting approval from the UK's medicines regulator (MHRA) and will be made at Stockton-on-Tees.

The PM made the announcement at a No 10 press conference to mark the first major step in the lifting of England's lockdown today.

BORIS - BIG SUMMER HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK

Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will make a huge announcement about summer holidays next week.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing street's new media centre today, the PM confirmed that the plans will be unveiled on April 5, Easter Monday.

When asked about whether Brits would be able to travel abroad to see their families, Johnson said that the most important thing for the UK was to continue to vaccinate people in "great numbers" and that he would be saying more "on April 5 about what the global travel taskforce has come up with."

Last week the PM said "no decisions have been taken" yet on what might happen with vaccine passports.

But when asked again if people might need a vaccine passport for the pub, he said: "All sorts of things are being considered, it's premature to start talking about that."

NI'S MASS VACCINATION CENTRE HAILED AS 'SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE'

Northern Ireland's mass vaccination centre has been hailed as a "significant milestone" in the fight against coronavirus.

The SSE Arena in Belfast will have the capacity to administer jabs to 40,000 people a week, operating as a mass vaccination site for the whole of Northern Ireland.

A slowdown in the UK's vaccine supply lines will see the centre processing around 11,000 people a week initially, with the numbers ramping up as more AstraZeneca jabs become available.

Visiting the arena floor on Monday, First Minister Arlene Foster said: "Our vaccination centres are ramping up, I am delighted to be here to see the professionalism of our staff yet again.

"It's been a really good week to mark more milestones, 30 million people across the United Kingdom have now received their first dose of their vaccine and in Northern Ireland over 50% of adults have received their vaccines."

GREECE, SPAIN & PORTUGAL ON TRACK FOR JABS

Portugal, Spain and Greece are expected to offer nearly all residents their first Covid jab by the start of August.

Research firm Airfinity said that Greece is on track to deliver first doses to 75 per cent of its population by July 31.

Meanwhile, Spain will do the same by August 1, followed by Portugal by August 3.

Here in the UK, the government has said that people are unlikely to be able to go abroad for their hols until May 17 at the earliest - but there are major concerns about the spike in Covid cases in Europe.

BRITS URGED TO ENJOY FREEDOMS, BUT NO HUGGING!

Brits enjoying greater freedom from the Covid lockdown today have been warned against hugging pals and family - despite months of separation, reports The Times.

People are now allowed to meet outside in groups of six, or as two households.

Laverne Antrobus, a psychologist, said: "You may find yourself having to be quite firm if others suggest 'breaking' the rules, eg to have a hug.

"Although it has been such a long time since we've been able to hug friends and family, we all still need to keep our distance to stop the spread of the virus - try reminding yourself and those around you that soon you will be able to do these things again.

"Saying 'no' has never been more important, so try not to fall victim to peer pressure."

23 MORE PEOPLE DIE OF COVID

The Government said today that a further 23 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the UK total to 126,615.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 150,000 deaths involving Covid in the UK.

The Government also said that, as of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 4,654 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

It brings the total to 4,337,696.

STICK TO SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES - PROF WHITTY

England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was a "high likelihood" that transmission rates will increase when restrictions ease, but it could be "modest" if people follow social distancing guidelines.

"Yes, there is a high likelihood that there will be some uptick as a result of the relaxations today, and that was anticipated right from the beginning of trying to lay out where the road map would go," he told a Downing Street briefing.

Referring to a graph which said the high proportion of those catching and transmitting Covid-19 have not yet been vaccinated, he said: "I would not anticipate that vaccination will reduce transmission between people in those ages at all at this point in time.

"But, and this is the big but, the point the Prime Minister was making, that has been stressed repeatedly, is that if people stick to social distancing rules and they are outside, the risk of transmission is massively lower than if they are very close together and inside.

"Provided people stick to outdoors and at a distance if it's people who are not in their households, the impact in terms of an uptick should be modest. I think it would not be realistic to think there will be no impact, and that is something we are all aware of."

DOWNING STREET PRESSER RECAP

The Prime Minister confirmed that a deal had been done with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to provide "fill and finish" capacity at its Barnard Castle facility in the North East of England for the Novavax vaccine.

Boris Johnson told today's Downing Street news conference the collaboration will be "giving us between 50 and 60 million doses of UK-made vaccine", subject to approval from regulators.

The PM also stressed the benefits of exercise to build the UK's "resilience" to the virus, saying "I am personally thrilled that I will be able to play tennis, for instance".

"Without being remotely preachy, I do hope that we can take advantage of this moment and the beautiful weather to play sport, to take exercise, to have fun and build our national resilience in that way too," he added.

VACCINES NOT 100% PROTECTIVE - VALLANCE

Sir Patrick Vallance says that the Covid jabs aren't 100 per cent protective, "and this is at the current rates of infection - if the rates were much higher, then obviously the amount of hospitalisations would be much higher, which reinforces the point that we must keep rates down, and be sensible as we unlock and get back to more interaction."

VACCINES - VERY EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING HOSPITALISATIONS

UK government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance tells the Downing Street press conference that "vaccines are very effective at reducing hospitalisation in every one who gets them".

"The message is that everyone who is asked to come forward for a vaccine, please get a vaccine," he adds.

PROF WHITTY - COVID CASE RISE 'INEVITABLE'

Prof Whitty says that the slight rise in Covid cases among school age children is "inevitable as society opens up.

"There will be some increases in transmission and we should expect that, that is one of the things we have to anticipate will happen as opening up occurs."