MATT Hancock is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference today at 5pm.

The Health Secretary will update the public on Covid-19 as the Indian variant threatens the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

On Monday, Mr Hancock told MPs that there were more than 2,300 cases in the UK.

Here is what he is likely to discuss.

Indian variant

The Argus: 86 local authorities in the UK have now recorded five or more confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19. (PA)86 local authorities in the UK have now recorded five or more confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19. (PA)

Matt Hancock will almost certainly discuss the rise in coronavirus cases as a result of the Indian variant.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed 86 local authorities in the UK have now recorded five or more confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19.

Speaking in Commons the Health Secretary warned: “This isn’t just about Bolton and Blackburn.”

Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday that while the B1617.2 variant seemed more transmissible, the evidence suggested vaccines were effective against it.

Mr Hancock said there were now 2,323 confirmed cases of B1617.2 in the UK – of which 483 were in Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, where it is now the dominant strain.

He said cases there had doubled in the last week and were rising in all age groups.

Vaccine frustrations

The Argus: Matt Hancock has voiced his frustration over Covid-19 vaccine refusals. (PA)Matt Hancock has voiced his frustration over Covid-19 vaccine refusals. (PA)

The Health Secretary is likely to urge Brits to accept invitations to receive the vaccine after voicing frustrations that some people are still not getting the jab, amid fears of the spread of the new Indian variant.

Mr Hancock said there were now 2,323 confirmed cases of the Indian variant in the UK, of which 483 were in Bolton and in Blackburn with Darwen.

Cases there had doubled in the past week, with 19 people in Bolton in hospital with the variant and eight in Blackburn, and that it was now the dominant strain in the area.

“The majority have not been vaccinated and, of them, most of them could have been vaccinated, which is frustrating to see, but is also a message to everyone,” Mr Hancock told MPs.

“It just reinforces the message that people should come forward and get vaccinated because that is the best way to protect everybody.”

Travel confusion

The Argus: There has been confusion over whether is is safe to travel. (PA)There has been confusion over whether is is safe to travel. (PA)

Matt Hancock will aim to clarify confusion over international travel in the UK.

Would-be holidaymakers were left with their plans for a summer break up in the air after ministers appeared to contradict themselves over where the public are permitted to travel abroad.

A new traffic light system was brought in on Monday to allow some foreign travel to resume again after months of coronavirus lockdown.

But two Cabinet ministers appeared to offer a different reading of the rules, with Environment Secretary George Eustice telling broadcasters people could go to amber-listed countries as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, speaking after Mr Johnson’s comments on the matter, told Times Radio the public should ask themselves whether a trip to a country on the amber list was “essential” before conceding that “some people might think a holiday is essential”.

Adding further confusion, Lord Bethell told the House of Lords on Tuesday: “Travelling is dangerous.

“We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.”

Local lockdowns

The Argus: Downing Street refused to rule out a return to local lockdowns. (PA)Downing Street refused to rule out a return to local lockdowns. (PA)

Amid concerns of the spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 Downing Street has refused to rule out the possibility of a return to local lockdowns.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked whether minister would consider a return to a tiered system as stage three of Boris Johnson’s roadmap went ahead as planned on Monday.

He said: "I don't want to get ahead of where we are at the moment and start getting into hypothetical situations.

"As the Prime Minister has set out, we've moved as a country into step three.

"Albeit with a very targeted increase in surge vaccinations and testing in these areas where we're seeing rises.

"And that's what we want to proceed with if at all possible but we don't want to rule anything out.

"And I think until we have more data and more evidence, we won't be making those judgments."