Don't miss a thing by getting the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox The possibility of lifting most Covid restrictions next month is 'looking good', a UK health chief has said.
But Dr Jenny Harries has urged caution to avoid another national lockdown. The next, and final, stage in the roadmap out of lockdown, step four, announced by the Prime Minister is set to begin no earlier than June 21.
This could see the lifting of all legal restrictions on social contact, and the reopening of businesses that have been shut for more than a year.
However, there has been concern over the B1617.2 variant - also known as the Indian variant - as it is believed to be behind the sharp rise in cases in areas such as Bolton.