Summary

  • The use of Covid bubbles in England's schools, colleges and early year settings will end on 19 July

  • It is part of a whole range of relaxations in schools as the country moves towards lockdown easing

  • From 16 August, under-18s in England will no longer need to self-isolate after being in close contact with a positive case

  • Fully-vaccinated adults will also not have to self-isolate from then if they are a close contact of a case

  • Those who test positive themselves will still have to self-isolate whether they are vaccinated or not, though

  • The final lifting of England's restrictions is expected on 19 July, but it will be confirmed on 12 July after a review

  • Health Secretary Sajid Javid said new coronavirus cases “could go as high as 100,000” per day, after restrictions ease

  • England's cricket authorities will name a new squad for their one-day series after three players and four staff test positive

  • Germany is lifting a Covid-related travel ban on people from the UK and four other variant-hit countries

Live Reporting

Edited by Claire Heald

  1. More detail on rules for double-jabbed later

    BBC Breakfast

    On isolation rules for those who have been double jabbed, Javid says the government plans to have "a more proportionate system".

    The health secretary says he plans to reveal more detail on this in a statement to the House of Commons later.

    We are expecting this at about 12:30 BST.

    He says: "We will have a more proportionate system of test, trace and isolate, and it is absolutely right that those that have been double jabbed that we can take a different approach than the one we take today.

    "In terms of what we will be doing exactly, you will have to wait for my statement to Parliament later today.

  2. Shops, transport operators should have own mask policy - Javid

    BBC Breakfast

    On masks, Javid says it will be up to shops and transport operators to have their own policy.

    "It shouldn’t be a central diktat," the health secretary tells BBC Breakfast.

    "It’s about relying on sensible guidance as we move to a world that feels much more like normal."

    Asked whether he will continue to wear a mask, Javid says: "I will continue to carry a face mask with me for the foreseeable future and if I’m in a crowded place I will wear a mask, not least out of respect for others."

  3. Javid defends plan to ease restrictions in England

    BBC Breakfast

    Covid restrictions can be eased in England because of the “huge wall of defence” built by the vaccination programme, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says.

    He tells BBC Breakfast there is “increasing evidence” the link between case numbers and hospitalisations and deaths are “severely weakening”.

    “Because of this we can make these changes,” he says.

    He says there are currently about 25,000 cases a day, and he expects this to rise to about 50,000 a day by the expected date of the easing, due on 19 July.

    But he says the “vaccine wall of defence” is the difference compared to previous waves of infections.

    Javid adds that he has announced a shortening of the length of time between jabs from 12 weeks to eight weeks for under 40s, plus they are planning a vaccine booster programme.

  4. Labour calls for caution as cases rise

    Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth tells BBC Breakfast his party wants a “balanced reopening of the economy” but believes the rules on masks indoors and on public transport should remain for now.

    “We don’t want a high-risk free-for-all,” Ashworth says. “Infection rates are rising again steeply.”

    He also says young people who are not double jabbed could be more exposed and could be at risk of developing long-term symptoms of Covid.

    He says there is a need to be “cautious” but says it is right to “get our pubs and restaurants back as normal”.

    “There are things we can do to save lives and protect ourselves through this third wave,” he says, confirming he's in favour of reopening the economy, pubs and restaurants as they “should be able to move beyond table service”.

    But as there are likely to be more people on public transport, people should wear masks, he says.

  5. New rules for schools in England to be set out

    School pupilsPA Media

    England's schools will find out later how the government plans to relax rules that have led to large numbers of pupils being sent home if a single child has a positive Covid test.

    We’re due to hear from Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on this at about 13:30 BST, when he speaks to MPs in the House of Commons.

    Last week the "bubble" system saw more than 375,000 children sent home.

    It has meant missed days of lessons for thousands of pupils and frustration for parents juggling work and childcare.

    It follows a Downing Street press conference on Monday, when Boris Johnson confirmed he intended to scrap the laws on mask wearing and social distancing in the final stage of England's Covid lockdown roadmap on 19 July.

    Labour, trade unions and some scientists have said now is not the time to change the rules on masks as case numbers continue to rise rapidly, driven by the new, more infectious Delta variant.

    But it will be a boost to the hospitality industry, as it means nightclubs will reopen for the first time since the pandemic began, while drinks at the bar will return.

    Read more

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