British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he aims to cautiously ease coronavirus restrictions in an "irreversible" manner, but conceded he cannot offer a "cast iron guarantee" that England's third national lockdown will be its last.
Mr Johnson welcomed an "unprecedented national achievement" of vaccinating 15 million of the most vulnerable people in the UK ahead of the target deadline today.
But he said that now is "no moment to relax" as ministers review coronavirus restrictions in England, while lockdown-sceptical Tory MPs press for a swift reopening.
Mr Johnson said there are "grounds for confidence" that vaccinations reduce Covid-19's spread, but said they are awaiting the "hard facts" before setting out the timetable for easing the lockdown.
He told a Downing Street press conference that no decisions had been taken ahead of detailing his "road map" on 22 February, urging people to take any speculation with a "pinch of salt".
"We want this lockdown to be the last. And we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible," he said.
But, while saying he was "increasingly optimistic" about the possibilities to ease restrictions, Mr Johnson acknowledged he cannot guarantee it is the last lockdown.
"I'm very hopeful that we'll be able to go ahead and open things up, but to say I can give an absolute cast iron guarantee that we won't face further difficulties and have to think harder and deeper about some problems, no at this stage I can't," he said.
Earlier, Mr Johnson said no decisions had been made on whether all pupils can return to school at the same time after reports suggested a staggered approach may be taken, with secondary schools going back a week later than primaries.
