LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to be cautious as he confirmed on Monday that the majority of COVID-19 restrictions will end on July 19 in the United Kingdom.

Moving to the next stage is a balance of risks and the public should continue to be cautious, the UK premier said, adding that the move is based on the latest data showing that the government’s “four tests” for easing covid restrictions have been met.

The four tests he listed are the following:

— The vaccine deployment program continues successfully

— Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalizations and deaths in those vaccinated

— Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalizations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS

— The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.

Johnson said cases will continue to rise as set out from the start of the Roadmap, but the vaccination program has substantially weakened the link between infection and serious illness or death.

Last week the prime minister set out a five-point plan to manage the risks while learning to live with coronavirus.

Earlier, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told parliament that people should still wear masks in crowded areas like on public transport and should only gradually move back to the workplace and that the government would encourage businesses holding mass events to use health certification as a way to open up. — Agencies