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11.34am BST
Keeling also told the PA news agency the move was “expected and is justified by the current epidemiological situation”, but warned that it is “not a time for complacency”.
Our model-based assessment of the outbreak shows that cases are now at levels comparable with early March (before the lockdown began) and are continuing to fall, albeit slowly.
The move to level three is a direct consequence of the public’s response to the social-distancing advice, but does not imply that these efforts should be relaxed. We cannot afford to lose the gains that have been made in controlling this outbreak.
11.32am BST
Matt Keeling, the professor of populations and disease at the University of Warwick, said the change in alert level was justified by the latest evidence, which showed the number of cases were at levels comparable with early March and were continuing to fall slowly.
The move to level 3 is a direct consequence of the public’s response to the social-distancing advice, but does not imply that these efforts should be relaxed.
The move to level 3 is not a time for complacency. There is still the prospect of a second wave if controls are relaxed too quickly and the reproductive number (R) rises above one.
Related: UK’s Covid-19 alert level cut from 4 to 3
Source: UK coronavirus live: Matt Hancock hails ‘big moment’ as Covid-19 alert level reduced from 4 to 3
