Main content

Coronavirus: Post-lockdown plans revealed as Oxford vaccine breakthrough announced

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveils a post-lockdown plan and a third breakthrough vaccine is announced. But is a return to normality really in sight?

A large trial has shown that a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is highly effective at stopping people developing Covid-19 symptoms.

It has also been announced that gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month.

Boris Johnson told the Commons that the three-tiered regional measures will return from 2 December, but he added that each tier will be toughened.

Spectators will be allowed to return to some sporting events, and weddings and collective worship will resume.

Newsnight's Political Editor Nick Watt reports and in the studio Emily Maitlis is joined by University of Oxford’s Prof Sir John Bell, who sits on the vaccine taskforce, and Imperial College London's Prof Robert Winston.

Release date:

Duration:

14 minutes