tonight at10:00: borisjohnson finalises plans for the gradual easing of the coronavirus lockdown in england. but the government warns that, while infections are falling, the numbers in hospital are still a major burden on the nhs. clearly, the levels are still far too high. that's why the prime minister will be setting out a road map. we can't lift the measures right now, but we can see that direction of travel. the prime minister's announcement tomorrow comes as the vaccination rollout is speeded up. also tonight... chanting thousands pay their respects in myanmar to a young woman shot during protests against the military coup.

the machine that can revive donor hearts cutting transplant waiting times for children. i am ecstatic that i got such an amazing gift of a heart. but it's also upsetting to know that someone also died. and a record ninth australian open title for novak djokovic in melbourne. good evening. in a much—anticipated announcement, the prime minister is expected tomorrow to lay out a road map for the beginning of the easing of the coronavirus lockdown in england. senior ministers have been meeting to finalise a timeline, with borisjohnson insisting that this must be the last lockdown. after a cabinet meeting

in the morning, he'll outline his plans to mps. the health secretary matt hancock says there are likely to be several weeks between each step of the relaxation to monitor the effects. it comes as the government released plans to speed up the vaccine roll out, promising to offer every adult in the uk their first jab by the end ofjuly. here's our political correspondent, helen catt. it's a tiny bottle that could have a big impact. more than 17.5 million people in the uk now have some protection against covid. every adult will be offered theirfirstjab by the end ofjuly. the prime minister promised this lockdown would be different because of the vaccine, as it would offer a way out. so, does this brighter news bring hope for lifting the restrictions in england soon? there are signs that the numbers in hospital are falling much more sharply than they were in the first wave. and there's further analysis to be done on that. but, clearly, the level

is still far too high, that's why the prime minister will be setting out a road map. we can't lift the measures right now but we can see that direction of travel. the road map has been finalised and will go to cabinet for approval tomorrow. for now, only a handful of senior ministers and scientists know exactly what's in it. downing street has said top priority is getting all children in england back into schools. it's expected the road map will confirm that is happening on march the 8th. teaching unions are concerned and would prefer a phased return but the labour leader wants to see all children back, too. ideally, the 8th of march. we'll have to see, obviously, where the data is, see - where the science is, l but that is what we will be working towards. if that means more testing, if that means nightingale classrooms, i if it means other measures, let's do that. _ beyond schools, downing street says the absolute priority in england is allowing families and friends to start meeting again. for most of us, the government is looking to the outdoors for social contact.

that's likely to start with a tweak to the rule on exercising with one other person to allow meeting to socialise, too. but care home residents will be allowed regular indoor visits from one named person from the 8th of march. the vaccine roll—out has been good news for the prime minister. but it does increase the pressure to get his road map right. what he says tomorrow will be the first step towards ending the lockdown in england. wales, scotland and northern ireland will chart their own routes out. but the progress of the vaccine programme means politicians will do that against a backdrop of hope right across the uk. helen catt, bbc news. the health sectretary, matt hancock, says early data suggests there's a reduction in coronavirus transmission by people who've been vaccinated. but it's still unclear how the jabs work against the south african mutation of covid—19. a single case of that strain has been confirmed in brentwood in essex, and surge testing is now being expanded there. so what are the main factors to be

considered in deciding when and how to ease the lockdown in england? here's our health correspondent sophie hutchinson. so, what is a safe way out of lockdown? scientists say it relies on a mix of lower infection rates, coupled with high levels of vaccinations. that is why the government was so keen to drive up the numbers of people getting the jab. already more than 7.5 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the uk. by mid april, everyone aged over 50 and everyone younger with underlying health conditions will be offered the jab. that is about 32 million people. by the end ofjuly, all adults in the uk, more than 50 million people, should have had their first dose of the vaccine. whether those who have had the vaccine can still catch and spread the virus is a key question. but

there has been encouraging news from israel. it has started opening up again, since almost half of the population has received a vaccine and initial data suggests it may have reduced the spread. irate and initial data suggests it may have reduced the spread. we have seen early data _ have reduced the spread. we have seen early data that _ have reduced the spread. we have seen early data that there - have reduced the spread. we have seen early data that there is - have reduced the spread. we have seen early data that there is a - seen early data that there is a reduction in transmission from those that get the jab. but that is early date and there is more work being done. . . , date and there is more work being done. ., ., , ., ., ., done. new variants are another concern. brentwood _ done. new variants are another concern. brentwood in - done. new variants are another concern. brentwood in essex i done. new variants are another concern. brentwood in essex is| done. new variants are another- concern. brentwood in essex is the latest place where residents will undergo testing, after a case of the south african variant was discovered there. scientists say it is vital that infection levels are kept low. the more infections there are in the community, the greater the risk of further mutations occurring. so, it is certainly a risk if we allow high rates of infection in certain parts of the communities. but rates of infection in certain parts of the communities.— rates of infection in certain parts of the communities. but the biggest test of all when _ of the communities. but the biggest test of all when it _ of the communities. but the biggest test of all when it comes _ of the communities. but the biggest test of all when it comes to - of the communities. but the biggest test of all when it comes to lifting i test of all when it comes to lifting restrictions is the number of

seriously ill people in hospital and those losing their lives to covid—i9. ensuring there is no return to rising numbers and a third wave will be key to the safe unlocking of society. let's get more on tomorrow's expected announcement for the reopening of schools in england. our education editor, branwenjeffreys, joins us now. branwen, what can we expect? well, it is the detail _ branwen, what can we expect? well, it is the detail now _ branwen, what can we expect? well, it is the detail now that _ branwen, what can we expect? well, it is the detail now that really - it is the detail now that really matters for parents and schools. we know that the government's ambition is that all schools should begin to reopen from march the 8th. testing is likely to play a very key role. secondary schools have received tests already and staff can be tested twice a week. but secondary school pupils may also be offered voluntary tests on their return to school. now, that raises the prospect of whether or not they will return yeah grouped by year group, to allow schools to manage that.

head teachers really want the details on how that will work. for primary schools there is an ambition to extend testing there, too, with the possibility that parents may be asked to do the back—to—back tests voluntarily on their children. will there be other precautions? we know that face coverings have been used in school corridors for many months now, but northern ireland, for example, has changed its advice to tell schools that secondary school pupils should be wearing them in the classrooms. but none of this meets the concerns of the education unions. one is calling for vaccination for school staff tonight. all of them are saying a much more gradual approach is needed. they are calling the return of all pupils at once a reckless move. of course, that gradual approach is exactly what is happening here in wales and also in scotland. starting tomorrow morning, with the very youngest primary pupils, who will be back in their classrooms after two months of being

away. classrooms after two months of being awa . . ~' classrooms after two months of being awa . ., ~ , ., classrooms after two months of being awa. ., a, classrooms after two months of being awa. ., i, away. thank you. branwen jeffreys, our education _ away. thank you. branwen jeffreys, our education editor. _ as we've been hearing, the government says it wants to focus on "data rather than dates" in deciding whether to ease the lockdown in england. the latest figures show there were 9,834 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, with an average of 11,062 new cases recorded per day in the last week. there have been 215 deaths recorded, of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test, meaning, on average, 488 deaths were announced every day in the past week, taking the total to 120,580. so far more than 330,000 people have had their first dose of one of the approved covid—19 vaccines, in the latest 2a hour period, taking the total to more than 17.5 million people. helen catt, our political correspondent, is here.

helen, obviously the state of the nhs is an important factor in any easing of the lockdown. but what about other issues like the economy, for example?— for example? there is a lot that has to be taken — for example? there is a lot that has to be taken into _ for example? there is a lot that has to be taken into account, _ for example? there is a lot that has to be taken into account, it - for example? there is a lot that has to be taken into account, it isn't - to be taken into account, it isn't just a case of looking at controlling coronavirus in isolation. politicians are also having to wear the economic and social costs of keeping restrictions in place. and they have to look at that and try to find a balance. during the pandemic as a whole, the government has not got everything right, even ministers would admit that. the pressure to get the england road map right is really high. so it's not surprising, i think, that the signal we have been getting over the last few weeks is that ministers are likely to stay on the cautious side here. they really do want this to be the last lockdown. so, tomorrow is undoubtedly going to be a really big moment for england. it is the point where we will see this plan for what is going to get us out of lockdown. but in terms of seeing really significant changes to many, many

areas of our daily lives, that sounds like it may be quite a few weeks off yet. sounds like it may be quite a few weeks off yet-— weeks off yet. helen, thank you. helen kat- _ the united states is on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to register half a million deaths from coronavirus. the infection rate is now slowing, but president biden's chief medical adviser for covid—19, is warning the country isn't out of the woods. here's our north america correspondent, libo diseko. remembering the lives behind the numbers. half a million people lost. that's more than a number of americans who died on the battlefields of world war i, world war ii and the vietnam war combined. i'm not going lie. i thought, "my family ain't going to get sick." "none of my loved ones are going to get covid." oh, was i wrong. i was so wrong. even though i've had family members who caught it, she's the only one that died. out of all my family that caught it,

she's the only one that died. lakecia lost her mother, tracey, in april last year. she got covid at the nursing home where she lived in new york. she was just 55. i didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. i didn't get a chance to get to new york, to hold her hand one last time. i didn't get a chance to do any of those things. it was just... it happened so fast. from coast to coast, the grief is felt. thomas dupar died in california, the state where the first us and eu death was recorded just over a year ago. his granddaughter, kayti, said he was the life and soul of any party. he was such a character. and, you know, surrounded himself with people constantly. loved being around his friends and family. and then to be alone, i think, that was like the opposite of what he would have wanted. and we all would have been there, obviously, if we could have.

with america's new president, a new approach to the virus. we now have a national strategy to beat covid—19. it's comprehensive, it's based on science, not politics. it's based on truth, not denial. but lakecia is still angry over the government's mistakes of the past. you didn't protect us. i feel like you didn't protect us. you just threw us out there and just let us fend for ourselves. and let everybodyjust wonder what's next, what's next? every day is a change. every day is something different. there was no protection for this. with the roll—out of vaccines, there is growing hope for an early end to the pandemic. but for thousands of americans like lakecia and her daughter, the pain is still raw as they try to make sense of the world without their loved ones. libo diseko, bbc news, washington. a four—year—old girl and a man and a woman in their late 20s have died in a house fire in exeter.

three other children, two boys aged four and nine, and a seven—year—old girl, are in a stable condition in hospital. police are calling it a deeply upsetting and tragic incident and say they're not looking for anyone else in connection with the blaze. matt hancock has insisted that transparency about contracts signed with companies during the coronavirus pandemic, is "completely second order" to saving lives. the health secretary was responding to a high courtjudgment, which found his department had acted unlawfully in failing to disclose, on time, details of deals to purchase items such as personal protective equipment. the government is meant to publish contracts worth more than £120,000 within 30—days. the duke of edinburgh is to spend a sixth night in hospital in london. prince philip, who's 99, was admitted last tuesday for a period of observation and rest after feeling unwell at windsor castle. the exact reason for his admission hasn't been disclosed. however, his stay isn't

related to coronavirus. in myanmar, thousands of people have lined the streets for the funeral of a young woman, shot during protests against the recent military coup. mya thwe thwe khaing died on friday. today, there were more mass protests against the generals after the military overthrew the elected government earlier this month. here's our south east asia correspondent, jonathan head. this was the funeral of an ordinary young woman transformed into a show of political defiance for these extraordinary times. mya thwe thwe khaing was one of countless thousands in myanamar who came out to challenge the military�*s seizure of power. and she was the first to lose her life in its heavy—handed response to the protests. scenes of grief which must inflame public fury against the military junta, but remind them, too, of the cost of resisting it.

they had two more martyrs to mourne today. one, a teenage boy. both were struck by live rounds fired by the police in the city of mandalay. we started this because we don't want a military dictatorship, said this woman, and we'll fight to the end to make sure these lives weren't wasted. the plan now is to escalate this two—week old protest movement into a nationwide general strike, which will cripple the government, but must inevitably hurt ordinary people too in an economy already shattered by the covid pandemic. they dream of international intervention to help their cause. this rally is outside the us embassy. still a symbol of hope, but a fading one in a world which won't or can't act against generals who won't listen. jonathan head, bbc news, bangkok.

in a world first, children in the uk needing a heart transplant are being offered organs that have been reanimated outside the body. in a collaboration between the royal papworth and great ormond street hospitals, hearts can now be revived by a machine, repairing any damage sustained during the death of the donor. the new procedure could cut waiting times. here's our health correspondent, anna collinson. just a year ago, one of these sisters had a failing heart and was put on an urgent transplant list. nice wave! freya heddington was warned she may have to wait up to two years. but thanks to a new programme it was just eight weeks. and within months she could start doing the things she loved most. i'm ecstatic that i got such an amazing gift of a heart. but it's also upsetting to know that someone also died. a donor's family must be consented before surgery, as this training simulation shows.

until a year ago, almost all paediatric heart transplants came from patients who had suffered brain death. their heart may beat but they will never wake up. life support is withdrawn and the heart is stopped and retrieved. but this new programme uses hearts which have been allowed to cease beating on their own after life support is withdrawn. as soon as this happens, the heart begins to deteriorate. by using this machine demonstrated here using red dye at the royal papworth hospital, doctors can effectively restart it and repair the damage. you would have the heart sitting with the connector at the top, the aorta. these tubes move blood through the heart which keeps it healthy for up to 12 hours, giving surgeons much more time to carry out checks, and even transport it to other locations. this organ care system is now used by adult cardiac transplant centres across the uk. but 12 months ago, the team here in cambridge joined forces

with great ormond street hospital to extend their world—leading service to children, and despite the pressures of the pandemic, treated six patients in 2020. in the adult world, we double the amount of heart transplantation and we reduce the waiting time period. and we had to do exactly the same thing for the paediatric recipients at the same time for both populations to reduce the mortality in the waiting list. and this is what we achieved. once retrieved, the hearts are delivered to great ormond street hospital for transplantation. children normally have to wait around two and a half times longer than adults for a new heart. for many of our transplant patients now, they are so sick that they have to wait in the hospital for their transplants, sometimes for six months, perhaps even over a year. so not only is it reducing wait times but it is transplanting patients that otherwise would not get an organ. freya's family will never forget what they've been through,

or the people and the machine that saved her life. it will always be there i in the back of our minds. but, you know, we know now she's got a lovely healthy heart _ and her future's bright. freya's father, jason heddington ending that report, from anna collinson. now with the day's sport here's olly foster, at the bbc sport centre. good evening. novak djokovic described his 18th grand slam triumph as emotionally challenging, but it didn't show on court at all. the world number one beating daniil medvedev in straight sets to win the australian open, yet again. adam wild reports there are few players in the history of tennis that have dominated one tournament quite like novak djokovic in melbourne. eight times a winner before today. there is a slight sense that times in tennis may be changing. daniil medvedev at the forefront of the sport's next generation but novak djokovic is not the type to let up or let go.

the mark of a great champion, always the hunger for more. set one hard—fought but, for djokovic, hard—won. medvedev giving everything, getting nothing, the feeling of so many players before him. things now beginning to fall apart for daniil medvedev, whose racket did the same. in truth, djokovic remains too good, at times unplayable, the complete player, roaring himself onward to yet another title, winning in emphatic style. i would like to thank the rod laver arena. i love you. each year, more and more. it has been a love affair that keeps going. thank you so much. the greatest the australian open has ever known. the next generation willjust have to wait. the premier league and scottish premiership leaders have both been playing today. highlights follow the news, but stay right there if you want the results. manchester city are still 10 points

clear after their 1—0 win away at arsenal. raheem sterling scored the winner inside the first two minutes. that extended their winning run to 18 in all competitions. city's nearest rivals — manchester united and leicester — are level on points, in second and third, after both also won today. west ham have broken into the top four after a 2—1win over tottenham. it's 35 years since the hammers have been in that position at this stage of the season. rangers are moving ever closer to the title in scotland. they won 4—1 against dundee united and are 18 points clear of celtic, who lost 1—0 at ross county. leaders bristol bears threw away a 25 point lead to draw against london irish in the rugby union premiership tom parton went over for the exiles in the last couple of minutes and the conversion tied the scores at 34—34. bristol are three points clear of champions exeter in the table. there's been a huge upset in the final of the welsh open snooker. outsiderjordan brown has beaten the six—time world

champion ronnie o'sullivan. the northern irishman is ranked 81st in the world and had never played in a major final before. though it went to a deciding frame, brown showed great composure to see out the match, winning nine frames to eight. the 33—year—old also takes home £70,000. sir ben ainslie's americas cup dream is over. ineos team uk was well beaten by luna rossa, the italian boat winning both races in auckland today to take the prada cup 7—1. they will now take on the holders team new zealand for the main prize, the americas cup next month. ainslie says they will go back to drawing board. there's more on the bbc sport website. you can catch up on all the stories that we've been telling, giving a sporting perspective of lgbt+ history month. that's it. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel, but now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. have a very good night.

after the short, sharp shock of wintry weather it's been a mild weekend if anything looking even milder. the temperature well above average for the time of year although easing later in the week but all of the mild weather not coming with sunshine for everyone as we look at the rainfall while some across eastern parts of england will stay dry. the further west and north you are it will be wet for a time through northern ireland but particularly for scotland with the bright colours indicating some spots may amass over 100 millimetres of rain with the renewed risk of flooding as this area of low pressure brings a wriggling weather front end which will set around northern and western areas tuesday into wednesday whereas the further east you are, you get to see a bit of sunshine. this is where the temperature will be most

above—average, maybe even 17 celsius in some spots. this is to come in the weather system for monday moving out of wales pushing further east across england, the one that has been hanging around for the weekend but finally getting out of the way. behind it, brighterskies but finally getting out of the way. behind it, brighter skies throughout scotland and northern ireland, sunny spells and the chance of a shower in north—west scotland and we are starting the week mild. into tuesday the next weather system comes in from the atlantic. the rain may be preceded by a bit of snow but it is the rain amounts were concerned about and further snowmelt. rain in scotland and northern ireland and into western parts of england and wales and with the rain coming in the wind picks up, strong to gale force, 50—60 mph, when they are crossrail areas, force, 50—60 mph, when they are crossrailareas, mild force, 50—60 mph, when they are crossrail areas, mild across all areas with the highest temperature across central and eastern parts of england but staying dry. the weather front still around and a lot of energy moving along it so a lull in the rain possible but it comes back

in four parts of northern ireland, western parts of england and wales with the risk of rain but particularly into scotland. through central and eastern parts of england there may be some sunshine and this is where we could see 17 somewhere, not just is where we could see 17 somewhere, notjust in south—east england. even into parts of yorkshire. on the weather system will weaken considerably as it pushes away into thursday. a little shift in wind direction behind it so slightly less mild air coming in for thursday on the west— south westerly breeze with sunshine and a scattering of showers and the chance of a bit more cloud building in the east anglian south—east england. a few spots of rain overnight and into friday on the far south—east of england in particular. and high pressure building on as the week comes to a close with the weather system trying to move on from the atlantic and a lot of the energy from that diverted northwards. may be as we enter friday could be rain heading into northern ireland and overnight into parts of western scotland.

temperature coming down a little bit but still very mild. looks like high pressure will remain dominant for many parts as we go through next weekend but these weather systems still have weather fronts getting close at times particularly into parts of northern ireland and scotland. by day still mild and as we have established this week it will be very mild for a time and while not all of us will see the rain where it falls where heavy there is a risk of flooding in scotland, where it is wet drier later than the wind picks up particularly around mid week. and by the end of next weekend that will be the end of next weekend that will be the end of the meteorological winter.

hello. this is bbc news with shaun ley. we'll be taking a look at tomorrow mornings paper's in a moment. first the headlines. a pledge that every adult in the uk will be offered their first dose of coronavirus vaccine by the end ofjuly — a month ahead of schedule. it's because of the success

of the vaccine rollout that we are able to do that and that will have an impact on how quickly we will all be able to return to normal, which is obviously what everyone wants to see. boris johnson finalises plans to bring england out of lockdown, ahead of his announcement on easing restrictions tomorrow. a pioneering breakthough for children needing a heart transplant — a machine that keeps hearts beating outside the body for up to 12 hours. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are personalfinance commentator anne ashworth and martin lipton, chief sports reporter at the sun. in a moment, we'll run through the papers but first... i think we will be talking a lot

about the prime minister's route mapped out which has been leaked to the