THE UK's Covid-19 alert level has dropped today ahead of lockdown easing next week.
Experts agreed the record-breaking vaccine rollout has dramatically helped the country beat back the virus, with the threat no longer as great.
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The move comes as pressures on the NHS have "fallen consistently", and deaths have dropped.
Level 3 means the "epidemic is in general circulation", and transmission is no longer "high or rising exponentially".
UK health chiefs said: "Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3.
“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently.
"However Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant.Â
"This remains a major pandemic globally.
“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”
It follows the NHS Covid emergency alert level downgrade in March – when it was moved from four to three.
MAKING PROGRESS
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive for the NHS, confirmed the positive news on March 25, as the country bounced back from the second wave.
In November the NHS moved to its highest alert level as Covid posed an "existential threat".
This afternoon Boris Johnson is set to announce Brits starved of embraces for over a year will be allowed to hug each other when the next stage of lockdown lifts on May 17.
At the moment anyone who doesn't live together is advised to keep at least 1.5 metres away from others to stop the spread of the virus.
But, as first revealed by The Sun it's expected that people will be told they can finally hug their close friends and family again – but social distancing rules will be expected to stay for others.
It is thought that the PM will confirm that from May 17, people will finally be able to meet their loved ones inside their homes again.
It means groups of six or fewer – or two households – will be allowed to meet indoors.
The last relaxation of rules in April gave the thumbs up to pubs and restaurants opening up – but only for service outside.
But from next week they will be able to fling their doors back open and welcome customers back inside.
Mr Johnson is also going to confirm changes to the Rule of Six, holidays, funerals and weddings.
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