Covid: 'If not now, when?' asks PM as rules set to end

Summary

Boris Johnson sets out details of the final step of England's roadmap out of lockdown
He outlines a five point plan for "living with Covid" - but stresses a final decision on easing restrictions on 19 July will come next week
The PM says the pandemic is far from over and we must reconcile ourselves to more deaths and take a careful and balanced decision
The government will drop legal restrictions to allow people to make "informed decisions" on managing the virus, he says
"If we can't reopen our society in the next few weeks... we must ask ourselves 'when will we be able to reopen?'," the PM says
There are shouts of “hallelujah” in the Commons as Health Secretary Sajid Javid tells MPs social distancing rules in England will go
Labour’s shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth says the strategy will expose many thousands of people to Covid
The Duchess of Cambridge is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive

Edited by Martha Buckley

Latest headlinespublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 5 July 2021
Here are the main developments this morning:
- Boris Johnson is expected to confirm at a news conference later that he's confident the government will be able to lift the majority of the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England from 19 July
- Some scientists are urging caution while case numbers from the Delta variant are still rising
- The Scottish government has suggested it may retain some basic measures including masks at its next review in August
- The number of drop-in vaccination centres in Scotland is being expanded across the country after a sharp rise in case numbers
- The Queen has awarded the prestigious George Cross to the NHS on its 73rd anniversary. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral to recognise the NHS's work during the pandemic
- President Joe Biden says the US is closer than ever to declaring independence from Covid
- And Indonesia is facing an oxygen crisis as hospitals struggle to cope with a surge in Covid cases
Good morningpublished at 08:30 British Summer Time 5 July 2021
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Stick with us for updates from the UK and around the world throughout the day.