Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme he is confident that the next, and final, stage of unlocking in England will go ahead on 21 June although he says he cannot guarantee it.

He says that people should exercise caution when socialising indoors but says the situation, with the Indian variant circulating, is different from when the Kent variant took hold last winter leading to a national lockdown.

"The big difference between what was happening than and is that now as of today we have vaccinated 36 million with the first dose and something like 20 million have had two doses," he says.

The cabinet minister adds that "all the evidence" suggests vaccination is "extremely effective" in combating coronavirus.

A day for people to enjoy - but sensiblypublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 17 May 2021

09:23 BST 17 May 2021

Adam Fleming
Chief political correspondent

This isn’t “a throw open the doors!” moment and we won’t see a photo-op of the prime minister enjoying an indoor pizza or pint today. Ministers want people to enjoy themselves, but to do it sensibly.

Boris Johnson has always said the roadmap out of the lockdown in England is irreversible but in a video on social media this morning he says it’s only irreversible if “we all follow rules” – an added note of caution.

And there’s a difference in tone between ministers when they talk about the next step in England, due on 21 June.

The PM says the Indian variant might make it “more difficult” but the business secretary says he’s “hopeful” and “confident” that it’ll happen.

There are also growing tensions between national authorities and areas with higher rates of the Indian variant over vaccines. The mayor of London is the latest local leader to ask for permission to start jabbing younger people and some places are doing it anyway.

That goes against government policy which is to prioritise first doses for the over-38’s and second doses for the over-50s.

Image source, Getty Images

While people are enjoying the return of freedoms across many parts of the country there has also been a note of caution with the variant first found in India spreading in some areas.

Bolton is one area which is a hotspot for the variant, known as B.1.617.2, and people in the town are being urged to come forward for vaccinations.

Dr Helen Wall, who is leading the vaccination effort there, says over the weekend more than 6,200 vaccines were administered in the area.

Long queues of people were seen waiting for vaccines in the region, with temporary vaccination centres being set up using buses.

"We're seeing people coming forward that clearly had the option to have the jab for some time - older people, disabled people - and they've chosen to come forward now," Dr Wall tells BBC Breakfast.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme he does not want to "stigmatise people" over vaccine hesitancy and says the government is trying to encourage people to take up the offer.

"We're not exactly where we want to be among certain communities but I think the take-up has been much greater in the last few months and more and more people are convinced that this is the way to keep themselves and their families safe," he says.

Sarah Corker
Business presenter, BBC 5 Live

Manchester Airport is running at less than 10% of normal capacity across this week, with only one of its three terminals operating.

About 30 flights will be departing today - four of them to destinations in Portugal.

Holidaymakers I’ve spoken to say after a year of lockdowns and restrictions they are looking forward to some guaranteed sunshine and relaxing by the beach in the Algarve.

But there is some nervousness too as people remember what happened last summer when travel rules often changed at the last minute.

Getting refunds for cancelled trips also proved a challenge.

This is a gradual restart to foreign holidays.

Manchester airport will see about 3,000 passengers today. On a Monday before the pandemic, the airport would process 90,000 travellers. So these are baby steps back to normality.

Image source, Reuters

As lockdown eases in England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says everyone still needs to be cautious and get tested twice a week.

"Together we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution," he says.

"Everyone must play their part by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for your vaccine when called, and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air."

Anyone in England can get two free lateral flow tests each week - even if they do not have symptoms. They can be found at pharmacies or can be ordered online, external.

Image source, Anna Kotova

The ban on foreign travel has ended in England, Scotland and Wales, and one of those making the most of the change is Dr Anna Kotova, criminology lecturer at Birmingham University.

Anna, 32, who is a Russian national but grew up in Cyprus, hasn’t seen her mum for four-and-a-half months and is flying out to Cyprus later.

Cyprus is on the UK’s amber list of countries which the government says people shouldn’t travel to - but it’s not illegal, and holidays and flights are available.

Anyone who returns from an amber destination must quarantine for 10 days as well as book and pay for Covid tests.

"It should be fun," she says. "I did travel in the summer when we were allowed to go so I’m fairly familiar with the testing processes."

"I’m spending around £400 on the Covid testing," she says.

Although she’s fully vaccinated, she says it’s "irritating" that she can’t get official proof of the vaccine by the time of her flight.

The government’s travel advice, external says until vaccine certificates begin, tests will still be needed – but the service to prove vaccine status via the NHS app is set to go live today, external.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

As we've heard, Wellcome Trust director Sir Jeremy Farrar has warned the so-called Indian variant "is becoming dominant in parts of the UK".

He tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "the only way to stop these variants occurring" is to drive down transmission "in this country but also around the world".

"The biggest risk to countries like the UK, who have done very well with vaccine roll out is by variants arising from anywhere in the world and then spreading around the world when they have a biological advantage," he says.

"So driving down transmission in this country is essential. But so is it in the rest of the world and that means driving down transmission and making vaccines available globally."

Read more: What are the India, Brazil, South Africa and UK variants?

BBC Radio 5 Live

Cafes and diners around the country are opening for breakfast this morning, including John's Diner in Trafford Park in Greater Manchester, which gets a lot of custom from lorry drivers.

Janet Smith says the lockdown has been "stressful" and she is glad to reopen but uncertain whether business will bounce back.

"We've had to throw a lot of stock away," she tells Radio 5 Live's Wake Up to Money programme.

"I'm very nervous today. We're not sure what's going to happen. We don't know whether our regulars are going to come back," she says

"It's affected the business quite badly."

Kathryn Stanczyszyn
BBC Radio WM

The sound of suitcases rolling across tarmac is all around us at Birmingham Airport.

There are big smiles, the atmosphere is really buzzing and people are getting directed to the check-in desk where there was quite a big queue forming already at 07:15 BST.

I have been here at the airport at times during the pandemic when it has been ghostly quiet but today feels a lot more normal.

Portugal is on the green list of countries people can visit and there are lots and lots of people here at the airport heading out on this morning's first flight to Faro at 09:35.

Image source, Reuters

• Portugal's Algarve region is preparing for the return of UK travellers on Monday. The country is on the UK's "green" list for unrestricted travel from today and Portuguese authorities have said that UK tourists with a negative test will be allowed to enter

• Restrictions in Turkey are easing after a 17-day lockdown, during which people were only allowed outside for essential reasons. Now, residents will be allowed to leave their homes during the day, although curfews will remain in place overnight and during weekends
• Italy, meanwhile, has recorded fewer than 100 fatalities within 24 hours for the first time since October. Ninety-three coronavirus-related deaths were recorded on Sunday. Italy has recorded almost 125,000 deaths since the pandemic began – the second-highest number in Europe
• But there was some bad news for Eurovision fans this weekend, as the acts representing Malta and Romania were forced to pull out of the Sunday's opening ceremony due to a coronavirus outbreak at their hotel. Iceland was also absent after a member of its delegation tested positive. Click here to find out about how Eurovision is keeping performers and audiences in Rotterdam safe after last year's contest was cancelled

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Today’s easing of lockdown restrictions in England is “the most difficult policy decision of the last 15 months”, one of the UK government’s scientific advisers says.

Wellcome Trust director Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), says it is “reasonable” to lift restrictions today but “all of us need to be really, really careful”.

“It is very, very finely balanced," he tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He says the Covid variant first identified in India, which is believed to be more transmissible, "is becoming dominant in parts of the UK, and yet vaccination across the country has been extraordinary successful".

"I think we will see an increase of cases and infections over the coming weeks as some of the restrictions are lifted,” he says. “But the key question is whether we have decoupled increased transmission in the number of people who do get infected from the number of people who get ill and need to go to hospital."

He adds he personally would not meet indoors “for the moment”, which is where transmission is occurring.

Image source, PA Media

Coronavirus restrictions are being eased today in England, Scotland and Wales.

Here's what has changed:

England

• Pubs, cafes and restaurants can serve customers indoors
• Indoor leisure venues such as galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, sports stadiums and children’s soft play areas can also reopen
• Under updated government guidance on close contact, people can choose whether to hug friends and family, but are advised to consider the vulnerabilities of their loved ones
• People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors, and up to six people or two households can mix indoors and stay overnight
• People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries without having to quarantine on their return

Scotland

Most of mainland Scotland – with the exceptions of Glasgow and Moray - is moving to level two restrictions today. Under level two rules:

• Up to six people from a maximum of three households can mix indoors inside a private home, without the need to physically distance from each other
• Pubs and restaurants can serve alcohol indoors until 22.30
• Indoor leisure venues will reopen
• Foreign travel can resume – in line with rules in England

Wales

• Pubs, cafes and restaurants can reopen indoors, with customers allowed to meet in groups of up to six people from six households
• All holiday accommodation can reopen fully
• Indoor leisure venues can reopen
• Foreign travel can resume although the Welsh government advises against non-essential trips abroad this year

You can read our full explainer on how the rules are changing here.

Image source, PA Media

The return of international travel is one of the major changes in the UK today with people able to go abroad to see loved ones or simply catch some early summer sun.

Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, says the airline is "very excited" to be launching again.

He says the most important thing has been to "prepare well" with the airline having to check extra documentation proving passengers have had a negative test.

“We’re cautiously optimistic and we would like to see more countries added to the green list,” he says.

He says BA is seeing demand recover, mainly to green list destinations but also to other countries over the summer.

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, says the past 12 months has been very difficult for the industry with 80% of traffic disappearing with government restrictions but says the budget carrier is "very optimistic for the coming couple of months".

He tells BBC Breakfast European countries are recognising the success of the UK’s vaccination programme and are lifting restrictions on inbound British passengers.

He says he is hopeful Italy and Greece will be able to welcome UK tourists soon, with the case numbers going in the right direction for them to be added to the UK’s green list.

O’Leary says Ryanair’s bookings have trebled "from half a million at the start of April to 1.5 million last week" as British families make plans for the summer.

With the headline, "Don't blow it, Britain," the Daily Mail, external sums up the celebratory but guarded tone taken by many of the front pages as they mark the latest easing of lockdown restrictions.

"Enjoy freedom with a heavy dose of caution," says the Daily Express, external, while The Daily Telegraph, external reports the prime minister has called on everyone to "play their part", amid concern the spread of the Indian variant is being fuelled by people who refuse to be vaccinated.

"Get the shots in," says the Sun, external - which claims the vaccine rollout is set to "go into overdrive" as pubs reopen for indoor drinking.

Read more here.

Image source, PA Media

For much of the UK today brings an easing of restrictions and a further step towards a return to normality.

But that comes amid concerns about the Indian variant of Covid-19 which is suspected of being more transmissible.

Here are some of the headlines:

• In England indoor meetings of up to six people, or outdoor meetings of up to 30 are now allowed with indoor hospitality also able to reopen
• All mainland council areas in Scotland - with the exception of Glasgow and Moray - have moved from level three to level two Covid restrictions meaning indoor socialising and hospitality can restart
• Indoor eating and drinking is back on the menu in Wales along with the reopening of indoor attractions such as cinemas and museums
• And holidaymakers from the three nations are expected to jet off for some early summer sun as the ban on foreign holidays is lifted
• But the easing comes with a warning as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says people must continue to play their part in stopping coronavirus
• Elsewhere in the world, the Covax vaccine sharing scheme is 140 million doses short due to the continuing Covid crisis in India, where its largest jab supplier is based
• India has begun distributing a new locally developed drug, 2-DG, to treat Covid-19 symptoms
• A group of Australian cricketers have landed in Sydney from the Maldives where they were sheltering after fleeing the Covid crisis in India following the postponement of a tournament
• Taiwan's government has imposed its toughest restrictions so far, as the island tries to battle a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Image source, PA Media

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

We will be bringing you updates from across the world throughout the day but much of our focus will be on the UK as England, Scotland and Wales welcome an easing of restrictions.