Politics

PM warns people not to meet friends and family indoors – even if they’ve had COVID jab

The prime minister has warned people not to meet others from different households indoors over Easter, even if they have had a coronavirus vaccine.

Boris Johnson made the call in a video posted on his official Twitter account, asking questions sent in to the government about his roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions.

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One of the questions was: “Can I now meet my friends and family members indoors if they are vaccinated?”

The PM said in response: “There I’m afraid the answer is no, because we’re not yet at that stage.

“We’re still very much in the world where you can meet friends and family outdoors under the rule of six or two households.

“And even though your friends and family members may be vaccinated, the vaccines are not giving 100% protection and that’s why we just need to be cautious.

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“We don’t think that they entirely reduce or remove the risk of transmission.”

Groups of up to six people, or two households, can now meet up outside in England, including in private gardens but socialising indoors remains banned.

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Under the government’s plan for easing COVID rules, the earliest date that friends and families could socialise indoors is 17 May.

On that date, the rule of six or two households is set to apply inside.

More than 31 million people in the UK have received the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

The government has set a target of offering every adult in the UK a vaccine by the end of July.