CMOs lower the UK’s Covid alert level but urges the public to remain vigilant

In a statement issued on Monday afternoon (10 May), the UK’s Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have recommended that the country’s COVID-19 alert level moves from level 4 to level 3.

Level 3 indicates that a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation.

The statement reads:

“Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England National Medical Director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3.

“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and COVID hospital pressures have fallen consistently. However COVID is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant. This remains a major pandemic globally.

“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”

• Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty

• Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride

• Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith

• Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton

• NHS England National Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis