Covid-19 alert level cut by chief medical officers

The UK's four chief medical officers have jointly recommended that the Covid-19 alert level should be downgraded.

Scotland's Gregor Smith and England's Chris Witty, along with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Wales, have stated that the epidemic is now "in general circulation", which is Level 3.

This is a reduction from Level 4, which states "transmission is high or rising exponentially".

Their joint statement says: "There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations, and this continues.

"It does not mean that the pandemic is over.

"The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.

"We have made progress against the virus thanks to the efforts of the public and we need the public to continue to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure this progress continues."

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