UK leader to end England's national lockdown on Dec. 2

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to end an England-wide lockdown as scheduled on Dec. 2 and to anunce a return to regional restrictions as statistics show coronavirus infections have stabilized.

Johnson’s office said late Saturday that government plans to return to using a three-tiered system of localized restrictions in England, with areas facing different measures based on severity of ir outbreaks. More communities are expected to be placed in two highest virus alert categories, Johnson’s office said in a statement.

government put England under a four-week lockdown that started v. 5. Cabinet is scheduled to discuss plans Sunday, and prime minister is aiming to give Parliament details on Monday, according to statement.

Johnson’s office also confirmed plans to begin a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program next month, assuming regulators approve a vaccine against virus. government also will increase mass testing in an effort to suppress virus until vaccines can be rolled out.

Johnson anunced lockdown in England on Oct. 31 after public health officials warned that an exponential rise in new confirmed coronavirus infections was threatening to overwhelm National Health Service as winter flu season approached. lockdown closed n-essential business and banned most social garings, but schools remain open.

New kwn cases of COVID-19 have started to drop across U.K., with number of positive tests during past seven days falling 13.8% from week before. Some 2,861 COVID-related deaths were reported over last 7-day period, 17 fewer than a week earlier. infection rate remains high at 244 cases for every 100,000 people.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told reporters Friday that lockdown has been successful in slowing spread of virus, though he stressed that people needed to keep following rules to keep cases down.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, government’s deputy chief medical officer, warned that gains could be quickly lost to a virus that takes “just seconds” to spread.

People should “keep up pressure on this virus and push down on it as much as we can right to end of period (of lockdown),” he said.

government’s scientific advisory group, kwn as S, is expected to publish reports on Monday showing that earlier three-tiered strategy wasn’t strong eugh and recommending tougher restrictions when it returns.

Under that system, a “medium” alert level requires restaurants and pubs to close at 10 p.m. and prohibits residents from mixing in groups larger than six. “high” level prevents people from garing indoors with anyone t in ir household or extended “support bubble."

In areas put under a “very high” alert, pubs and bars only can remain open and serve alcohol only if it comes with a hearty meal. People are advised t to travel in or out of those areas.

(Im Credit: AP)