Covid news: Boris Johnson ‘optimistic’ on 21 June date as ‘fear and anxiety’ in hospitality sector

Boris Johnson has said he is “very optimistic” he will be able to fully relax all of England’s coronavirus restrictions on 21 June.

He said the vaccination programme had made “all the difference” though added that successfully hitting his target would require the government to “follow the guidance” at each of the four stages announced yesterday and warned “nothing can be guaranteed”.

Earlier, business leaders warned financial support will be “imperative” if the hospitality and entertainment sectors are to survive as restrictions are lifted.

Meanwhile, Michael Gove was appointed to lead a review of Covid vaccine and testing certification, which will report by 21 June, by when the programme for the lifting of restrictions set out by the prime minister yesterday is expected to be complete.

It comes as Scotland’s economy will begin a “phased reopening” from the last week of April, as the country moves to a regional level system of coronavirus restrictions, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

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