Boris Johnson to hold press conference on Covid restrictions today

Boris Johnson will be hosting a press conference today to outline the plan for the next steps of ‘living with Covid’.

The Prime Minister is due to make two announcements today – one to Parliament and one to the public via the press conference, where he will be joined by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Pratrick Vallance.

During the press conference, Johnson is expected to announce that he is ‘finally giving people back their freedom’ after ‘one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history’.

He is also expected to unveil his ‘living with Covid plan’, which will see the axing of all restrictions including the requirement to self-isolate after a positive test.

The measure is expected to be lifted as soon as Thursday (February 24th) with the Prime Minister also due to begin rolling back free Covid testing.

Read More: The Queen has tested positive for Covid, Buckingham Palace confirms

Free lateral flow and PCR tests have been costing the taxpayer a staggering £2 billion a week.

Speaking ahead of his announcement on Saturday, Johnson said: “Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with Covid.

No 10 Downing Street / Flickr

“It would not be possible without the efforts of so many – the NHS who delivered the life-saving vaccine rollout at phenomenal speed, our world-leading scientists and experts, and the general public for their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.

“The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others.”

No time has been announced for the press conference, though 5pm has been the most common time for such announcements throughout the pandemic.