RECAP: How Sunderland reacted to 'Freedom Day' and details of latest Downing Street press conference

Ahead of today’s briefing, the following stats have been shared.

Government data up to July 18 shows that of the 82,413,766 Covid jabs given in the UK, 46,314,039 were first doses, a rise of 18,186 on the previous day.

Some 36,099,727 were second doses, an increase of 128,878.

The Government’s Coronavirus dashboard, which shares lots of information about the pandemic and can be found by clicking here, has been updated for today.

It shows the number of deaths reported within 28 days of a positive deaths is 19 today.

That brings the total to 126,727 since the start of the pandemic.

Lifting restrictions was a “long-awaited moment”, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said, but he warned: “We are not at the finish line yet.”

He told MPs: “Today marks an important milestone in our fight against this virus and we take step four on our road map.

“It is a long-awaited moment for the businesses who now can open their doors at long last, the happy couples who can have weddings without curbs on numbers and, of course, the people who can see more of their loved ones in care homes.

“Although we have made huge advances in our race between the vaccine and the virus, we are not at the finish line yet, instead we are entering what I believe to be the next stage, a stage where we continue with caution while doing what it takes to manage the risk of this virus which is still with us and still poses a threat.”

Mr Zahawi added: “Cases and hospitalisations have risen over the past week, as we predicted, and we know that these numbers will get worse before they get better.

“Although there’s never a perfect time to take this step, making the move today gives us the best chance of success. We’re cautiously easing restrictions when we have the natural firebreak of the school holidays and when the warmer weather gives us an advantage.

“So we will move forward with caution, drawing on the defences we have built as we set out in our five-point plan two weeks ago.”

After a little delay, the PM has joined the briefing, while Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s deputy medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam will also contribute from Downing Street.

He says with cases going up and more people asking to self-isolate, he wants to remind everyone why the next step has been taken.

“If we don’t open up now we face tougher conditions” ahead he says and after a point, where many have been vaccinated, it delays the inevitable, so “if not now, when?” he says.

The latest figures are well within the margins of what scientists predicted, but he says “this pandemic is far from over” and people must continue to test, trace and isolate.

People identified as contacts are five times more likely to have the virus and can still pass on the coronavirus.

Isolation remains important to allow life to get back to something like normality, he has said.

On August 16, there will be a system of testing for the double vaccinated and in the meantime, he says he wants to offer reassurance services will continue.

A small number of named, critical workers will be able to leave isolation to do their jobs, but otherwise, the system must be followed for now.

The reason for this is down to the level of people jabbed, but unfortunately, not all over 18s have got their vaccine and has urged people to step forward if they are still to have their’s.#

“We need even more young adults to get protection,” he says to help themselves and others and notes there are countries which require a double jab to get entry - and he says that number will continue to rise.

He also says nightclubs will also be doing the same here.

The PM has added proof of a negative test will be enough for some venues and events.

“Come forward and get your jabs now,” he said, as he handed over to Sir Patrick Vallance.

He has presented figures and says there are four risks, that they follow through to hospitalisation and deaths, the second is an increased risk of long Covid, then high levels of infection as the virus develops variants and then due to high level of infection, it leads fo people being ‘pinged’ and have to self-isolation.

He’s added a fifth, which is the stress on the health service.

He says the pressure on the NHS will continue, but not as before thanks to the vaccine.

In terms of death, he has looked at the waves and has looked back at the previous waves.

He says we are seeing a rise in deaths, which will continue, and are expected to reach more than 100 over the next few weeks, but still at a lower level than before - he’s not made it clear if that is daily, weekly or otherwise, but the Government does issue updates each day.

Sir Patrick says this is the level covered with a double jab so far, but notes many are still to get their second dose.

He says to reduce infection, it’s important people are cautious and people don’t go into places where there’s a high chance of infection, adding the vaccination is “crucial” in the fight against the virus.

The first covered those vaccinated abroad, which Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said would still be regarded as cover.

The second has touched on how people who have been double vaccinated have still been admitted to hospital.

Sir Patrick has said while they are effective at reducing disease they also help it being passed on, but incidents can still happen and people can become ill.

He says we should expect to see the number of people in hospital rise.

Fergus Walsh has asked over admission to events and crowded places and how young people will be asked for proof of the jabs to get admission.

The PM says he has “boundless admiration” for what the younger generation have done to protect others and say part of that will be reduce the time we live under the pandemic, with the best way to get their jab.

He says 3 million under 30s are still to get there “They won’t regret it, it’s the best thing for your friends and family” and the best thing for the “ones they love.”

Sir Patrick has gone on to note mass events in other countries have led to a surge in cases and they are environments where the virus is easily passed on, so that’s why people should get their jab to reduce the chances of becoming ill.

Pro Van Tam has also listed the places where the virus can thrive and says it’s not helpful to point out a type of building or venue, but there are places where is is obvious it can be passed more easily.

He has said the only way the roadmap can be followed this way is by being cautious and people follow the routines and test and trace, as well as focus on the vaccination programme.