Although schools will reopen from next Monday, non-essential businesses, ‘close-contact’ operators such as hairdressers, hospitality and indoor recreation are due to stay shut until late January and in some cases longer.
The latest updates were shared by ministers at a press conference at which it was pledged to make a steady move away from the current restrictions.
It is hoped that there will be a regular updates on a fortnightly basis, subject to advice from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, whose members will consider evidence including infection rates, the international picture and progress in vaccinations.
Subject to securing adequate supplies, it is hoped that most of those aged over 65 will be vaccinated by the end of February, with the majority of 50 to 64-year-olds added to this group by the end of March.
The updates also covered increased testing in schools, with 65,000 lateral flow tests being used to provide tests for all teachers and pupils in years 11 and above set to be offered every week from 18 January until at least half-term.
The lateral flow testing, which offer results within 30 minutes but are not seen as reliable as PCR swab tests, will be supplemented by PCR tests for any positive cases, as well as a full round of PCR testing at half-term for this group.
As part of the cautious approach, few changes are expected to the classification of neighbouring countries. Regions in the following countries will remain 100% red for the coming weeks: England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, German and Italy. A small number of regions in France and Scotland will be amber.
