THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a Covid-19 press briefing this afternoon from Downing Street.

It has been an eventful few days again regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, with positives such as the vaccination programme continuing strongly, and last week's major relaxation of Covid restrictions.

However there has also been cause for concern coming from India, the fear that the lockdown easing may cause cases to increase, and also more scandal after it emerged a company directly linked to the Health Secretary's sister had been handed a lucrative Government contract.

The press conference will take place at 5pm, and the Prime Minister will be joined by medical director of primary care for NHS England, Dr Nikita Kanani.

Before the briefing, Mr Johnson has a busy day including a meeting with football representatives regarding the breakaway European Super League which has been universally condemned.

What could the Prime Minister cover in today's briefing?

1. Vaccines - As has become customary at these briefings, Mr Johnson will provide an update on how many people have had the jab so far. As it stands, just shy of 33 million people have been vaccinated, 62 per cent of the UK population, and more than 10 million have had their second doses.

Last week the Government said it had hit its target of offering the jab to all over 50s by April 15 and opened up the vaccine to the over 45s who are able to book a jab now.

Also occurring last week was the first dose of the Moderna vaccine being given in the UK, meaning there are now three vaccines in use. 

Expect lots of celebration and praise from Mr Johnson on the rollout of the vaccine by the NHS.

2. Unlocking - Last week shops, pubs and restaurants all reopened, as well as hair salons, gyms, self-contained holiday lets and outdoor leisure attractions, in what was the biggest phase of unlocking since the third national lockdown began in January.

The reopening was met with open arms by people in Bradford and around England, with queues for shops, beer gardens full and hairdressers working flat out to tame people's unruly lockdown locks.

The impact of the unlocking won't be fully understood for another few weeks, but no doubt Mr Johnson will hail it a success and praise businesses for their patience and hard work.

3. Indian Variant - The latest Covid variant to wash up on our shores comes from India, which is currently in the grip of a deadly second wave. Scientists and experts are concerned this variant may be more transmissible and have greater vaccine resistance than other variants.

Under a wave of pressure from opposition parties, experts and public opinion, yesterday Boris Johnson cancelled a planned trip to India, and the Government has put India on its travel red list - but not until Friday.

Expect journalists to press the Prime Minister on why they delayed a decision and what progress has been made to find out just how worried we should be about this variant.

4. Holidays - Speaking of travel lists, journalists are likely to press the PM on which countries are going to be rated green, amber or red in its eagerly-anticipated traffic light system.

The list isn't due until May but an expert from the aviation industry said over the weekend only eight countries are set to be on the green list, limiting people's choices for summer holidays.

Expect demands for answers on this, and also on how the Government is going to make the required tests for travellers more affordable, something it has pledged to look into.

5. Covid contracts - Last week Tory sleaze and cronyism were top of the agenda in Westminster following revelations around lobbying, particularly in relation to former Prime Minister and good friend of Mr Johnson, David Cameron.

At the weekend this blew up further, after it emerged a company in which Health Secretary Matt Hancock owns 15 per cent of, and his sister both owns shares in and is a director of, had been handed a £300,000 NHS contract.

Topwood Ltd, a specialist in storing and shredding documents, won the contract from NHS Wales. Labour said this was "cronyism that sadly isn't a surprise anymore", but the Government said Mr Hancock had acted "entirely properly".

Expect the Prime Minister to try and put a pin in this early.

We will be running a live blog on the press briefing later, where you can follow everything Mr Johnson says.