Sajid Javid, secretary of state for health and social care, confirmed in the House of Commons today that England will be unlocking on 19 July.

There were, however, some reversals from his previous statement on unlocking. Javid hinted that vaccine passports could be used in large venues and that a review would take place in September to assess whether a further lockdown is needed.

Explaining the decision to unlock next week, Javid said: “If not now, when? There will never be a perfect time to take this step. Because we simply cannot eradicate this virus. Whether we like it or not, coronavirus is not going away.”