Boris Johnson 'optimistic' easing of restrictions can be announced on February 22

Boris Johnson has said he is “optimistic” he will be able to set out plans for a “cautious” easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England later this month.

The Prime Minister said that while the overall number of cases remained high, the infection rate was starting to fall while the rollout of the vaccination programme has made “huge progress”.

“I’m optimistic, I won’t hide if from you. I’m optimistic but we have to be cautious,” he told reporters during a visit to a vaccine manufacturing facility in Teesside.

His comments came as scientists continued to urge caution over the easing of the current controls when Mr Johnson sets out his “roadmap” out of lockdown for England on February 22.

One scientist advising the Government said ministers risked a third wave of the pandemic as big as the current one if they moved too quickly while senior NHS figures said the health service remained under huge pressure.

Ministers however are confident the vaccination programme is on track to meet the target of getting an offer of a jab to everyone in the top four priority groups – including the over-70s – by the deadline of Monday.

Mr Johnson said the efficacy of the vaccines in helping to drive down infection rates would be the key to determining how quickly they could ease restrictions.

“Although the number is beginning to come down and perhaps starting to come down quite fast we need to look at the data very, very hard,” he said.

[micjubba]

Come down to be put back again worse and more harsh the next time tougher measures country wide lock down marshal law

[ariframzan]

LoL - why wait . Just tell us now . It is not the Boris Johnson show . He always makes it about him . Too much delay and differ .

[lozzy]

We’ll all be out of lockdown in the summer but we won’t get to go on holiday anywhere even in the country, then back into lockdown in Autumn 🙄

[alantracy]

How can they depopulate unless they Vaseline your children ? You didn’t want grandchildren did you ?

[sav]

I think that people in parliament should take a 20% pay cut and be forced to donate it to charities helping people struggling with their piss poor job.... watch the second that happens lockdowns would end over night

[Dusty]

Weird how the infection rate is dropping it’s almost like everyone’s already got it and the majority are fine .... 99.85% survival rate

[chrisbatstone]

Use a bloody comb scruffy hahahahaha it would help

[sharplifter]

Go implement eat out to help out again or might as well change the name to “Eat out to spread out”!

[arfurmo]

Don't ask me tricky questions as there are no 'scientists' behind me to take the fallout. We are busy working out holiday imprisonment plans with our good chums at the Savoy, Hilton and so on to provide secure housing starting at a mere £2000 per night. Sterilisation and refurbishing fees extra of course. I am sure everyone will enjoy our new theme song 'Tiers of a Clown' which gave good results in our focus groups. No idea what it means, but it must be good.

[DarkPrince]

BoJo instead of giving the public false hopes just be honest and tell us that we are not coming back to normal before easter

[ToniCherub]

Excuse me your data had never been correct !

[SHADOWNINE]

His lips are moving which means he's line through his teeth

[tiedupsmurf]

If I don't eat, i will pass out, but my dinner is in the oven taking way too long, lets just say that i have gone way way pass the munchies stage

[Naughtybaz]

I'd some times almost believe him, a while back

[leapsplashafrog]

Children and your pets next you watch sit back do nothing follow orders

[Natoyle]

No enough I don't believe a word he says

[claudiawenzel]

From his recent commentary in direction "Let's share vaccines internationally" I gather that the Astrazeneca isn't performing too well with the new mutants and now suddently he's all for cooperation when just a few weeks ago it was "Let's have it for UK first and to hell with EU orders"
Wasn't such a good idea to have the rushed clearing and disdain theslower but thorough testing of the EMA after all, was it?

[vilmarandell]

Always giving false hopes... sit back and obey obey obey.
Boris Jonhnson please WAKE UP and act now. People chose you for other purposes

[dave]

Why did you vote for this man, England?

[nigelhough]

No one is locked down they never been a proper lock down in this country