What time is Boris Johnson's announcement today as June 21 lockdown easing set to be delayed for four weeks - apart from for weddings

The Prime Minister is due to address the nation at a Downing Street press conference at 6pm today, June 14 to announce the final easing of restrictions.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce a four-week delay on the lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England which was set for June 21.

The ending of social-distancing rules could now be delayed until July 19.

The move follows warnings from scientists that the rapid spread of the Delta variant first identified in India risks a “substantial” third wave if it is allowed to spread unchecked.

Stage four of the roadmap out of lockdown is due to see an end to all legal limits on social contact, a reopening of nightclubs, no restrictions on the size of weddings or other gatherings, and the return of large audiences for events such as theatre performances.

But Mr Johnson is expected to appeal to the public to show patience, with one last push to ensure that when restrictions do finally end it is “irreversible”.

The news comes as ‘huge setback’ for businesses in the hospitality sector who were hoping for a full summer reopening to recoup some of the losses of the past year.

However the government has hinted that restrictions on weddings may still be eased from June 21.

Health minister Edward Argar told Sky News couples waiting to wed are “very much” in the mind of Boris Johnson at the moment.

“There will be a lot of couples who planned, hoped, to do it, put a line through it, done it again and rescheduled again,” he said.

“Not only does that cost money, but emotionally that is incredibly difficult for couples who want to have their special day and want to get married.

“Again, I’m not going to pre-empt what the Prime Minister will say later, but I know that weddings and people in that particular situation will be very much in his mind at the moment, it’s one of the things he has been looking at.”

The latest daily Government figures from Sunday showed another rise in infections with a further 7,490 lab-confirmed cases in the UK – up 2,149 from a figure of 5,341 the previous week.

Scientists now estimate that 96% of all new cases of coronavirus are attributed to the Delta variant.

Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the Nervtag advisory group said: “This Delta variant seems to be about 60% more transmissible than that [the Alpha variant].

“So it really has gone up another gear and that means that we really have to double down and not lose all the advantage that has been gained by the massive effort that has been put in so far.”

Boris Johnson’s formal announcement is due to take place at Downing Street at 6pm.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.