Covid alert levels: How does the UK system work and what level are we now? – The Sun
BORIS Johnson's "road map" for ending the UK coronavirus lockdown involves a new "alert system".
The latest alert downgrade could herald a relaxation of the social distancing measures which have been imposed in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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What is the new Covid-19 alert system?
The Prime Minister's 5-point alert system ranks the threat level of the virus on a scale of one (green) to five (red).
The threat level system will be adjusted and amended according to medical and scientific data.
Experts will analyse data from hospitals and a new smartphone app to get an accurate picture of infection rates.
Data used will be similar to the figures and information presented during the Government's daily updates from Downing Street.
The new system applies to England only but the government is working with the devolved administrations as they develop their own.
What are the five levels?
Boris Johnson has unveiled the new 5-point Covid Alert system, which will rank the threat level of the virus on a scale of one (green) to five (red).
Mr Johnson said England currently sits at stage four (orange) of the new scale – but is starting to move towards stage three (amber).
The purpose of the new system is to judge the levels of lockdown and the right time to ease restrictions in accordance with official data.
Lockdown measures will be gradually eased as the reproduction – or R rate – begins to fall.
On Friday, June 19, the UK's chief medical officers have agreed to downgrade the coronavirus alert level from four to three after a "steady" and continuing decrease in cases in all four nations.
Localised outbreaks of Covid-19 are still "likely" to occur, the advisers warned, and the virus remains in general circulation.
But the downgrading – recommended by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) – means transmission of coronavirus is no longer considered to be "high or rising exponentially".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said moving to a lower alert level was a "big moment" for the UK, and showed the country was getting "back on her feet".
Mr Johnson’s team have been working on a new slogan but are anxious not to give the impression it is safe to resume normal social life.
The slogan during the last seven weeks – "stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives" has become synonymous with the UK COVID fight.
The familiar phrase has been seen brandished on lecterns at Downing Street and featured in Government information adverts and in TV programmes.
But the new slogan will read "stay alert, control the virus, save lives" as the UK enters the next stage of efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
At present it is not clear if the slogan will come into immediate effect or will be used from midnight on Monday morning.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has secured his demand for a cautious easing of restrictions after a battle with colleagues who want a more rapid end.
It is thought that most of the lockdown measures will stay in place, with only slight changes to the number of times people can leave their homes- as Boris Johnson warned the UK was entering "the most dangerous phase".
A Downing Street source said of the next steps: “This is a critical moment. So having assessed the evidence carefully and scrutinised the data, the PM will address the public and ask for their resolve as we continue to do whatever is needed to defeat this awful virus.
“Our approach to announcing the next set of measures has been a careful process.
“We will make the decisions that continue to save lives and protect the NHS — proceeding with maximum caution and maximum conditionality.”
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