BORIS Johnson is due to address the nation tomorrow as Britain prepares to smash its 15million Covid vaccine target 24 hours early.
The Prime Minister is expected to speak from No10 to mark the impressive milestone.
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But Boris does not want to celebrate too early while the majority of the country are still waiting for their jabs, The Telegraph reports.
A source told the paper: “The PM does not want any celebration, very much business as usual, I will not rest until the whole country is vaccinated.”
His government set a target of 15million jabs to be administered to the top four priority groups by mid-February.
But with 14.5million Brits already receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, the target looks set to be achieved a day before deadline.
And in a video shared on social media last night, the PM hailed the Herculean efforts of the army of volunteers and medics vaccinating the nation.
He said: “They are really going gangbusters – shooting the lights out.”
Boris is also set to reveal more details about when schools can fully reopen and how pupils will return to classrooms.
The PM previously said getting kids back to school hinges on vaccinating the most vulnerable by the deadline.
This includes all over-70s, extremely vulnerable individuals, care home residents and staff and frontline healthcare workers.
But the programme is so advanced in some areas that over-50s are asked to come forward to get the jab.
It is now hoped kids will be back in the classroom by March 8.
Boris told MPs last week: “I will be setting out as much as we can say on Monday and then in the week of the 22nd we’ll be setting out a road map and setting out the way forward for schools.”
He is due to meet his Cabinet and scientific advisers to begin creating his roadmap out of lockdown before addressing the nation on February 22.
As well as schools reopening, Boris will also lift curbs on people meeting for a coffee in the park.
Current rules mean people may only meet outdoors for exercise – while standing up.
But the restrictions will be slightly relaxed with Brits allowed to sit down outdoors with one friend or family member or their own household or bubble.
This means from March 8, pals could enjoy a picnic in the park for the first time since the third lockdown was imposed.
The opening of non-essential shops is expected to follow in a major boost to the flailing High Street.
And in a huge relief for thirsty Brits and the blighted hospitality sector, pubs and restaurants are understood to be opening for al-fresco dining in April.
The hated 10pm curfew and substantial meal rule that left punters and landlords baffled is also reportedly going out the window.
The PM is also expected to scrap the confusing tier system as many experts believe it did little to prevent the spread of the virus.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said he was “optimistic” that the vaccine roll-out will allow for further easing in the coming months.
He said: “I’m optimistic, but we have to be cautious.”
“Our children’s education is our number one priority, but then working forward, getting non-essential retail open as well and then, in due course, as and when we can prudently, cautiously, of course we want to be opening hospitality as well.
“I will be trying to set out as much as I possibly can in as much detail as I can, always understanding that we have to be wary of the pattern of disease.
“We don’t want to be forced into any kind of retreat or reverse ferret.”
