STAGE three of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown will go ahead today despite concerns over the Indian variant of Covid-19.

The Prime Minister led a Downing Street press conference on Friday evening alongside England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty.

Boris Johnson said that if the Indian variant proves to be “significantly more transmissible” than other strains and that “we’re likely to face some hard choices”.

He warned that the Indian coronavirus variant could “pose a serious disruption” to plans to ease restrictions and “could make it more difficult” to end them as hoped in June.

He told the Downing Street press conference: “I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our road map and we will proceed with our plan to move to step three in England from Monday.

“But I have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four in June.”

Boris Johnson has urged people to “think twice” ahead of travelling to areas with higher incidences of the Indian variant and staying with family and friends within those areas.

He said: “I would urge people just to think twice about that.

“We want people in those areas to recognise that there is extra risk, an extra threat of disruption to progress caused by this new variant and just to exercise their discretion and judgment in a way I’m sure that they have been throughout this pandemic.”

Despite concerns we will see further sectors of the economy allowed to reopen today, as well as the possible resumption of international travel.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming changes across the UK.

What will change in England from 17 May?

The UK Government has confirmed that Step 3 of the lockdown roadmap in England will take place no earlier than 17 May, following a further review of the data and four key tests.

Providing it is safe to go ahead with the next stage as planned, all of the most high-risk sectors will be allowed to reopen, with Covid-secure guidance in place.

This will include the reopening of:

  • indoor hospitality, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain
  • remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas
  • indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas
  • remaining accommodation, such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs
  • adult indoor group sports and exercise classes
  • some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events. Controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people, or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity (whichever is lower) will be allowed, as will outdoor events with a capacity of either 4,000 or 50 per cent capacity. The Government will also make a special provision for large, outdoor, seated venues where crowds can be safely distributed, allowing up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of total seated capacity.
  • international travel, subject to review

Weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events, including wakes, can also go ahead from this date with up to 30 attendees.

A broader range of stand-alone life events will also be permitted, including bar mitzvahs and christenings.

Most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted, but gatherings of more than 30 people outdoors will remain illegal.

Indoors, people will be able to meet socially in a group of 6, or with one other household. The Government has said it may be possible to go further than this at this stage, but it will depend on the data.