Reviews of regime

FOUR policy areas will be reviewed:

1. Whether vaccine passports could help release lockdown, or negative tests could allow access to venues. Ministers are considering “Covid status certificates” for domestic use though the idea was earlier set aside.

2. Social distancing, including masks and work-from-home requirements.

3. International travel rules including hotel quarantine, testing and a ban on travel from Covid “hotspots”. May 17 is the earliest possible date for overseas holidays.

4. Pilot events from April using testing and other measures to examine how larger crowds could be allowed at sports events and shows.

Natasha Tiwari, is founder of The Veda Group mental health company for children and their families. She said: “The country, as a collective, is really in a state of mental suffering.

“From mild stress caused by uncertainty, through to hopelessness, exhaustion, burn-out, loneliness, anxiety and depression, everyone has been touched by the mental devastation of the pandemic.

“Be kind to yourself, be kind to those you love, and try to spend time doing things that make you feel happy.

“We will eventually go back to having fun times. With some effort, we can elevate into mental wellness.”

Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “Psychiatrists have seen an increase in both emergency and urgent presentations compared to last year.

“We need both adequate funding and an increase in the mental health workforce.”