BORIS Johnson confirmed shops, hairdressers and pub beer gardens will reopen from April 12 in England - but people must not be complacent about the risks still posed by coronavirus.

The Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference he was looking forward to a pint of beer in a week’s time.

"On Monday 12, I will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips," he said.

But he said the difficulties facing countries in Europe illustrated the risks still posed by the pandemic.

Mr Johnson said: “We can’t be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness affecting other countries and we have seen how this story goes.

“We still don’t know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as I’m afraid that they will, and that’s why we are saying please get your vaccine – or your second dose – when your turn comes.”

He also encouraged people to use free NHS tests as part of the drive to identify cases without symptoms.