THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a press conference this afternoon to provide the latest update on Covid-19 in the UK; here are five things he could say.

Mr Johnson is due to speak at 5pm from Downing Street where he will update the country on the current state of the pandemic and what is due to take place in the coming days.

Ahead of his press conference, we take a look at what the Prime Minister is likely to cover.

Step Three of the Roadmap out of Lockdown

It’s been widely reported ahead of the press conference that Mr Johnson will confirm that Step 3 of the roadmap will go ahead as planned on May 17, next week.

MORE: Everything that we can do again in Step 3 of the roadmap

It means you can see friends and family indoors, go to the pub and sit inside, take part in an indoor group yoga class or see up to 30 people outdoors, plus more businesses can reopen.

The vaccine rollout latest

As usual expect Boris Johnson to kick things off with talking about the NHS’s triumphant vaccination programme which has continued at great speed.

Two thirds of the nation’s adults are now vaccinated with one dose, and a third of people are now fully protected with both doses.

Expect him to sing the praise of the NHS staff in charge of the vaccination operation and the public for taking up the jab.

Covid alert level

Earlier today, the UK’s top medics agreed that, following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre, that the UK’s Covid alert level should be dropped to level three after months at level four.

It means that the virus is no longer spreading exponentially and that restrictions can now be gradually removed to allow life to get back to normal.

Mr Johnson may talk about the suggested that this level should be changed, and if he will make that call.

Hugging

One of the things that has been looked at in recent weeks is changes to social distancing rules now that more people are vaccinated and Covid is less prevalent.

From Monday, it could be no longer illegal to hug family and friends as social distancing rules are altered, meaning people will finally be able to hug their family and friends after more than a year without embracing the ones we love.

Travel, sport, and the Champions League final

From May 17, international travel returns (to the 12 countries and territories on the green list), and so do limited numbers of spectators at sports stadiums and theatres.

One burning topic at the moment is the Champions League final – between Manchester City and Chelsea – due to be held later this month in Istanbul. From Wednesday, Turkey will be on the UK’s red list, due to spiralling infections in the country.

That puts the UK Government, FA and UEFA in a bit of a pickle. Under the rules, people must not travel to red list countries unless absolutely necessary, and upon return must go into an 11 day hotel quarantine – just like many elite England cricketers had to do when returning home from playing in the Indian Premier League.

Negotiations are due to take place between the Government, FA and UEFA about potentially moving the final from Istanbul to Wembley to avoid unnecessary travel and risk to players and staff, and any fans considering going to the game, or if the players and staff can dodge going into mandatory quarantine.

If they agree to bring the final to Wembley it’ll mean the game can go ahead with 10,000 fans in the ground on May 29.

Expect journalists to ask Mr Johnson what his aims are on this issue.