The four UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed that the UK Alert Level should move from Level 4 to Level 3. The Chief Medical Officers published a joint statement today that stated:
"Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3."
That said, it is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when offered.
To view the full joint statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 3, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-alert-level-update-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-10-may-2021.
Vaccine Update
We have administered a total of 53 million vaccine doses across the UK, with over 35.3 million people across the UK now having received their first dose and over 17.6 million people having received their second dose. One third of adults in the UK have now had their second dose of the COVID vaccine, a testament to the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff and volunteers.
We are now asking people over the age of 40 to come forward and get their jab. We remain on track to reach all adults by the end of July - around 53 million people.
JCVI advises on COVID-19 vaccine for people aged under 40
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued advice to the Government on the use of the COVID-19 Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 40.
The committee has reviewed the latest available evidence, including the current COVID-19 infection rate, the scale and pace of the vaccine programme and modelling of the timing and size of any third pandemic wave. This has been considered alongside the latest advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on extremely rare cases of concurrent thrombosis (blood clots) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) following the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Considering this alongside the portfolio of vaccines available in the UK in the coming months and taking a precautionary approach in relation to the extremely small risk of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia following the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, the JCVI has advised a preference for adults aged 30 to 39 without underlying health conditions to receive an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine – where available and only if this does not cause substantial delays in being vaccinated. This follows the decision on 7 April to offer a preference for adults aged under 30.
For any more information on the JVCI’s advice on the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged under 40, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advises-on-covid-19-vaccine-for-people-aged-under-40.
International travel update
The ban on non-essential international travel will be removed on the 17th May and replaced with a traffic light system Vertical traffic light. This means it will no longer be illegal to travel abroad without a permitted reason.
The Transport Secretary outlined how strict border control measures will remain in place as international travel gradually resumes. Different levels of restriction will be applied to individuals returning to England from countries based on the traffic light system set out by the Global Travel Taskforce.
Our priority remains to protect public health, which is why the ‘green’ list is currently very small, with only 12 countries and territories. As the epidemiological situation improves worldwide, it is expected that there will be more opportunities for leisure travel with a greater number of destinations added.
The lists will be reviewed every 3 weeks, informed by public health advice, including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s assessment of the latest data. These regular review points will allow the Government to balance helping the public to understand COVID requirements when travelling to England while allowing us to constantly evaluate the risk for different countries.
When travel does restart, it will be different, most notably when returning to the UK. Reopening international travel, while maintaining 100% health checks at the border, means longer waits are likely – passengers from any destination will still be required to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF), and show proof of a pre-departure test negative result. While holidaymakers may notice longer than usual queues, it is vital we maintain our stringent border checks – which are among the toughest in the world – to prevent new strains of the virus entering the country and putting our vaccine roll out at risk.
For more information on the cautious return to international travel, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-traffic-light-list-ahead-of-cautious-return-to-international-travel. To view what countries are on the red, amber or green lists and the rules you must follow to enter England, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england.
Visits out of care homes to spend time outdoors
Following a review of the evidence, undertaken with the Government’s clinical advisers, from 4 May 2021, residents should be enabled to leave their care home to spend time outdoors, without subsequent isolation for 14 days on their return.
To view the circumstances where care home residents are permitted to leave their care homes, to spend time outdoors, without the need to isolate on their return, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/arrangements-for-visiting-out-of-the-care-home/visits-out-of-care-homes-supplementary-guidance.
However, visits out of the care home which do not meet the criteria set out above will need to follow the guidance in visits out of care homes, including guidance on the need for residents to isolate for 14 days on return to the care home.
