People are being warned to stay "measured and cautious" as lockdown eases across Milton Keynes today (17/5).
This is because the Indian variant, also known as B.1.617, is spreading across the UK and is becoming the dominant strain in local areas such as Bedford and South Northamptonshire. A "small number" of cases of this strain have been confirmed in Milton Keynes.
Over the past week, questions have been raised about whether this could cause impact the final step of the roadmap on 21st June.
Members of SAGE have said they believe it could cause a delay to the further easing of restrictions.
But Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, thinks that it is "very likely" that things will proceed as planned.
Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: "Yes, things are opening up but people should have common sense, they should use judgment and I think if we act in a reasonable way, there is no reason to suppose that we can't reopen the economy entirely on June 21.
"I think there has to be a degree of common sense, a bit of caution and people shouldn't be running away being too exuberant, I suppose.
"I think we just need to be measured and cautious."
However, Professor Adam Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, told Sky News that people need to prepared for the roadmap to change because of the "possibility that we're in for another big wave."
Asked whether the unlocking next month could still happen despite a growing number of Indian variant cases, Mr Kwarteng said that he "fully" expected the 21 June date would be met, adding: "I think it is very likely to happen."
He added: "I've said the vaccines are working against the Indian variant, I think we've got to look at the numbers so we've got some flexibility but there is nothing I have seen and nothing the Prime Minister has seen up to now that suggests we are going to delay that June 21 date."
Additional reporting by Sky News
