Responding to the announcement of moving down to alert level 3, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"There have been many achievements made over the past few weeks in preventing the health service from being overwhelmed, such as the increase in capacity by 33,000 beds and more services becoming available online.

"To continue to protect the NHS, there must be a managed and gentle easing of lockdown while trusts grapple with resuming routine services as well as treating those seriously ill with COVID-19.

"We will need to remain vigilant, and ensure we keep the capacity to deal with a possible second surge in cases.

"With the easing of the alert level, we need to see a clear set of national priorities for the NHS, and more autonomy for trust leaders and their partners to deliver care locally."