'Be sensible!' Health chief begs Britons not to push eased lockdown rules to the limit amid fears of infection spike - but message is ignored as people swarm to beaches and parks in 75F heat
- Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries warned the public to be 'sensible' amid busy scenes in England
- Lockdown rules do not officially ease until tomorrow but people appear to have voted with their feet already
- Dr Harries said people should take responsibility for minimising their risk of transmitting the coronavirus
- Council officials warned people to stay away from Durdle Door today but crowds flocked to the site anyway
- As people descended on the beauty spot today, people were also spotting leaping from rocks into the sea
- The RNLI has demanded that the Government take steps to stop people turning up at the seaside
- Only 16 beach patrols out of a possible 248 have been reinstated, prompting a furious backlash
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Health chiefs today begged people to 'be sensible' and not take advantage of lockdown easing - after more scenes of packed beaches and parks raised fears of a second coronavirus spike,
Deputy medical officer Jenny Harries expressed alarm at the 'vision' of crowded beauty spots on another scorching day, suggesting people should take more personal responsibility.
At the Downing Street briefing, Dr Harries said the scientific view was that transmission was much less likely outdoors than indoors, and that was why the loosening in England was focused on those areas,
But she said the scenes today gave grounds for concern about 'behavioural' problems with people sharing cars and picnic utensils, and being 'very close together'.
'It is not just about what is possible, it is about what is sensible,' she said.
Thousands of lockdown-weary families hit Britain's parks and beaches to lap up the 75F (24C) heat, ignoring Professor Jonathan Van-Tam's appeal yesterday not to 'not to tear the pants out of' the new rules.
Tombstoners ignored clear warnings and plunged 200ft off the cliffs at Dorset's famous Durdle Door beach today less than 24 hours after four divers were injured at the same point.
Dominic Raab has warned that a second UK lockdown could be imposed if there is an 'uptick' in cases after Britons are allowed to meet up to six people from different households, have barbecues and go to fitness classes once more.
But he defended the changes amid warning from Nicola Sturgeon and a slew of scientists that they might stoke up infections, saying the country cannot stay in lockdown 'forever'.
As the coronavirus chaos thundered on today:
- The UK has announced 113 more Covid-19 deaths today, the lowest since lockdown began, taking the official count to 38,489;
- Ms Sturgeon accused England of under-reporting deaths in care homes, saying that is why Scotland's figures look worse;
- The PM has praised the public's 'resilience' as families across England will finally be able to see their elderly relatives again tomorrow, with millions of vulnerable people 'shielding' are given the green light to spend time outdoors;
- Chief science officer Patrick Vallance insisted ministers make final decisions on policy as he defended his SAGE advisory group from rising criticism;
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak is drawing up an emergency budget for July amid fears that the economy is descending into meltdown;
- Unions dismissed the idea that school summer holidays should be cancelled to allow pupils to catch up, saying teachers deserved time off after working 'flat out' during lockdown.
Durdle Door in Dorset is filled with visitors this afternoon, despite four people being injured and the air ambulance being called on yesterday
A man is pictured jumping from Durdle Door today despite warnings after people were injured yesterday and the council closing the beach
People continue to dive from Durdle Door on Sunday, despite warnings from the council telling visitors not to do so
Tombstoners have also been spotted leaping into the water along Plymouth's seafront today, despite four people injured in Dorset on Saturday
Pictured: People take to Durdle Door and dive off today despite the council warning that it is shut for safety reasons
People are pictured descending on the beach at Durdle Door, Dorset, despite the council warning that it is closed today
At the Downing Street briefing, Dr Harries said the scientific view was that transmission was much less likely outdoors than indoors, and that was why the loosening in England was focused on those areas
The coastguard is out patrolling at Durdle Door today. The Dorset beach is packed with visitors, despite the air ambulance landing at the beach yesterday
People were spotted jumping into the water at Three Shires Head on the River Dane in Cheshire on Sunday afternoon
There is no room for social distancing as umbrellas line Bournemouth beach on Sunday afternoon
Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds is packed with visitors this afternoon as families visit the banks of its river
Tombstoners were seen leaping from rocks and the bridge that crosses the River Dane on Sunday afternoon
Dr Harries told the briefing this evening that the restrictions were at a 'critical' stage.
'Where we are seeing that Government is easing measures the public really, really need to stick to those messages and it is not just about what it is possible to do, it's about what it is sensible to do and what is sensible to do is have as few interactions as possible as you can with other people in all settings,' she said.
'I think it's really important that people just try to use these measures sensibly for their own benefit but don't risk transmission to other people.'
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick was asked how worried he is having seen pictures this weekend where social distancing has been difficult or impossible.
He said: 'We're reasonably confident that the steps we've taken and will be taking on Monday are manageable but we have to all continue to play our part in that because the rate of infection remains somewhere between 0.7 and 0.9 and the room for manoeuvre is quite limited.
'We'll obviously keep this under very close scrutiny as we move into this next phase and as we approach the next decision point on June 15.'
Dr Harries was also asked whether people should be concerned that the daily number of deaths appears to have plateaued in the past five or six days,
She said that if the numbers are 'genuinely plateauing, yes we should be very concerned'.
'And that is the reason we need to be really really carefully, not only watching the numbers, but actually watching what we are doing,' she said.
'So we have to keep applying the social distancing measures, limit the number of interactions we have, very carefully and sensibly pick up those easements to make our lives better, but not overdo it, so limit the number of interactions.
'Having said that, of course, we know from the data that it does rely in part on when cases are reported so we can all see the blips at the weekend, so I think we need to be watching over a longer period than a few days to get a sense and that is of course why we have the rolling average because it gives a much more proportionate picture if you like of what is happening in reality.'
In what might have been a veiled swipe at No10 chief Dominic Cummings - who faced calls to quit after it emerged he drove 260 miles during lockdown to obtain childcare when his wife had coronavirus symptoms - Dr Harries said following lockdown rules was a matter of 'personal and professional integrity'.
She said: 'From my own perspective I can assure you that from a level of personal and professional integrity, I would always try and follow the rules as I know he does.
'The important thing is they are rules for all of us, and it's really important as we go through into this next critical phase that we do follow them to the best of our abilities, and even minimise if you like, the freedoms that are there to ensure that we can very gently come out of the pandemic.
'And if we start to spot things on the data that is difficult, there is opportunity for scientific review and advice to the Government about what needs to be done to go forward.'
It comes as the RNLI is facing demands to bring its lifeguards back after four tombstoners were injured in Dorset.
Just sixteen beach patrols out of a possible 248 have been reinstated prompting furious backlash by sunseekers eagerly flocking to picturesque coastal spots.
Some lifeguards have started patrolling for free but without the RNLI's backing they don't have access to official lifesaving equipment, The Times reports.
Hundreds have joined the #ReturnToShore campaign, with one saying 'The RNLI lifeguard service is the only emergency service which did not continue during the pandemic. Why?'
Brits have been warned to take the easing of lockdown measures slowly, but Bournemouth beach shows families and other visitors squeezing together
Three Shires Head on the River Dane is attracting visitors during the warm weather on Sunday
Britons enjoying the good weather at Ruislip Lido in London, as the public are being reminded to practice social distancing following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions
Crowds have flocked to Bournemouth beach on England's south coast ahead of lockdown measures being eased on Monday
Sunbathers are out in force on Brighton Beach today on the eve of a further relaxation of the novel coronavirus lockdown rules
Gulls flock above sunbathers on the beach in Brighton as Britain enjoys roasting 75F (24C) summer heat
Paddleboarders exercise social-distancing while afloat in the calm sea off Brighton - as thousands cram Britain's beauty spots to soak up the day's 75F (24C) heat
Ruislip Lido in London is packed today with social distancing appearing almost forgotten ahead of the more lockdown restrictions being eased by the government tomorrow
People fill the beach at Durdle Door, near Lulworth, today despite Dorset Council announcing that the beach was closed to the public
Brighton sunbathers soak up the 75F (24c) rays today on the eve of a further relaxation of the novel coronavirus lockdown rules.
Topless cyclists ride along the Mall in London today as the parks across the city are packed with lockdown-wearing Britons soakin gup the 75F (24C) sun
A tombstoner can be seen plummeting towards the sea after vaulting from the top of the ancient limestone arch known as Durdle Door in Dorset
A member of the coastguard looks over a packed beach at Durdle Door, near Lulworth, despite Dorset Council announcing that the beach was closed to the public
Police patrol the cliff top near Durdle Door, Lulworth, after Dorset Council announced that the beach was closed to the public after three people were seriously injured jumping off cliffs into the sea
Members of HM Coastguard Search and Rescue at Durdle Door, near Lulworth, despite Dorset Council announcing that the beach was closed to the public after three people were seriously injured jumping off cliffs into the sea
One RNLI lifeguard, who has started patrolling on a voluntary basis, said: 'It feels as though the RNLI bosses don't have our back. We're volunteering with minimal equipment and at far greater risk.'
From Monday, groups of up to six people will be able to meet outside in England as long as they observe social distancing as part of efforts to fight coronavirus.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said today: 'This is a sensitive moment. We can't just stay in lockdown forever. We have got to transition.'
Asked whether the lockdown will be tightened again if infection rates increase, Mr Raab told Sky News' Ridge on Sunday: 'We will target, if there is any uptick, and it could be in a locality, it could be in a particular setting, we will target very carefully measures that would apply to it so that we can take these steps but also keep control of the virus.'
A series of experts have raised concern about the moved to ease the lockdown in England, which takes effect from tomorrow, with the UK still getting 8,000 new infections a day.
Up to six people from six different households will be permitted to meet up in public places or gardens, meaning exercise classes and barbecues are back on the agenda.
Primary schools and nurseries have also been told they can start to reopen, while all non-essential shops can return from June 15.
In Scotland and Wales the loosening is far less dramatic, with only two households allowed to meet up at a time and people told not to travel more than five miles from home. Schools north of the border will not be back until after holidays there in August.
Asked whether the lockdown will be tightened again if infection rates increase, Mr Raab told Sky's Ridge on Sunday: 'We will target, if there is any uptick, and it could be in a locality, it could be in a particular setting, we will target very carefully measures that would apply to it so that we can take these steps but also keep control of the virus.'
Families across England will finally be able to see their elderly relatives again tomorrow, as millions of vulnerable people 'shielding' are allowed to spend time outdoors.
As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, 2.2million vulnerable people will be able to go outside with members of their household, while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines.
Those who live alone will be able to meet outside with one other person from another household, in a move that will bring joy to thousands.
Boris Johnson today hailed the 'resilience' of those who have been shielding since March, with many having no face-to-face contact since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime Minister said: 'I want to thank everyone who has followed the shielding guidance.
'It is because of your patience and sacrifice that thousands of lives have been saved.
'I do not underestimate just how difficult it has been for you, staying at home for the last ten weeks, and I want to pay tribute to your resilience.'
Mr Jenrick told the daily No10 briefing tonight that restrictions might need to be tightened again if 'conditions become less favourable'.
Mr Jenrick said the next review of shielding measures will take place in the week commencing June 15 and officials will consider the next steps 'more generally' beyond June 30.
'Following that review, the NHS will also write to all individuals on the shielding patient list with information about next steps on shielding advice and the support that will be available to them.
'If the conditions become less favourable, our advice to those being asked to shield will, unfortunately, need to be tightened.
'The government will continue to ensure that support is available to those who need it for as long as possible, and for as long as people are advised to follow the shielding guidance.
'Once again, can I thank all those shielding for your patience, and for your fortitude.
'Everybody across the country appreciates the unique challenges that you face, and we want to continue to do all we can to ensure that whilst you might be at home shielding for a bit longer, you are not alone,' he said.
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon today accused England of under-reporting care home deaths as she swiped at Mr Johnson for easing lockdown too early.
The Scottish First Minister said the apparent higher proportion of victims in care homes north of the border was due to the way they are recorded.
She insisted that people who died of stroke and 'happened' to have coronavirus were counted in the numbers in Scotland - whereas they were not in England, meaning that there was 'under-reporting'.
Visitors begin to arrive at Durdle Door at Lulworth in Dorset and walk the path to the beach at the start of another day of scorching hot sunshine
Inconsiderate visitors left this rubbish at the beach next to Durdle Door and the council warned people to stay away today following dangerous jumping yesterday
Visitors begin to arrive at Durdle Door at Lulworth in Dorset at the start of another day of scorching hot sunshine despite officials warning them to stay away
Visitors begin to arrive at the beach at Durdle Door at Lulworth in Dorset at the start of another day of scorching hot sunshine
Visitors begin to arrive at Durdle Door at Lulworth in Dorset at the start of another day of scorching hot sunshine with sunbathers heading to the beauty spot despite warnings not to do so
Asked on Sky News whether she thought that the PM was loosening the lockdown in England too quickly, Ms Sturgeon insisted she did not want to 'criticise other politicians' and they were all 'trying to do the right things'.
But she pointedly said that in Scotland they were being 'very cautious'. 'This virus has not gone away,' she said. 'That is why in Scotland we are moving very slowly.'
Prof Devi Sridhar, who has been advising the Scottish government, warned it looks 'inevitable' that cases will rise again in England.
'I'm very sorry to say that I think it is right now inevitable looking at the numbers,' she told Sky.
'The only thing that might in a sense save England is the good weather and warmth if this virus does indeed die outside quite quickly, but it's incredibly worrying because the numbers are not low enough to have a testing and tracing system take over.'
'If your objective is to contain the virus, to drive numbers down and to try to in a sense get rid of it so no-one is exposed to it, then it is not the right measure right now to open up,' she said.
'It's a big risk and gamble for exiting lockdown with a larger number of deaths than we did when we actually entered lockdown months back.'
Congestion charts from TomTom showed that congestion in London increased up to 3 per cent on last Sunday. The figure for Manchester was up 4 per cent, Liverpool 12 per cent, Birmingham 3 per cent, Bournemouth 14 per cent and Southamptom 27 per cent
Prof Sridhar said there was now a clear divide between Government and some scientists, but added that ultimately decisions will be made by politicians.
She said: 'I think what they should be saying is they consider the science, and hopefully they listen to it but the decision, and who actually has the accountability, are the politicians and leaders.'
Professor Peter Openshaw, who sits on the the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) to the Government, said people must proceed with 'great caution' as the lockdown is eased.
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme: 'At the moment, we still have quite a large number of cases out there in the community and I think unlocking too fast carries a great risk that all the good work that's been put in by everyone, to try to reduce transmission may be lost. So we do need to proceed with great, great care at this point.'
Asked if the Government is going too fast, he said: 'I think there is a pretty unanimous message now that we need to take this slowly and go step by step. We need to evaluate the effect of each step before we move to the next one.
'I don't hear any great dissent amongst the amongst the advisers who are speaking in public at the moment.'
He said it will be around two or three weeks before the effects of the latest easing of restrictions is known.
He told the Marr show: 'It's going to be very patchy, it may be that actually easing lockdown is perfectly OK in areas like London which were hit early and hit hard, and where the epidemic seems to have been virtually passed in many parts of the community, with a few exception.
'But up north it's still a very large number of cases. I think we need to be more subtle about the geography and we need to look at the particular areas where it may be appropriate to ease lockdown.'
He added: 'Maybe there needs to be a bit more subtlety to the way in which lockdown is eased.'
Prof Openshaw also said he believed advice on who needs to shield can be 'fine tuned' to prevent people being kept at home unnecessarily.
Yesterday a picturesque beach was trashed by revellers who left beer bottles, rubbish and laughing has cannisters strewn across the sand.
Formby beach in Merseyside was covered with litter on Saturday, despite pleas from police to continue social distancing.
In a statement the force said: 'We are also asking people to remain respectful and protect our public spaces.
'In recent days we have received reports of excessive littering and fires and BBQs being lit as well as people parking illegally and inconsiderately by blocking driveways and residential roads.'
Despite the crowds being forced to group together following Saturday's incident, people continue to flock to Durdle Door today
People make their way down the steps to the beach at Durdle Door, near Lulworth, today despite Dorset Council announcing that the beach was closed
Crowds have returned to Durdle Door today after the air ambulance was called to the Dorset beach on Saturday afternoon
Pictured: Grassholme Reservoir in County Durham today as temperatures across the country soar while lockdown restrictions are still in place
People have taken to Brighton beach today with lockdown rules still in place as groups practised social distancing at the seaside
Sunseekers are pictured on Brighton beach today as the UK prepares to further ease lockdown rules tomorrow and temperatures soar
People sunbathe on the beach in front of the derelict West Pier in Brighton, on the south coast of England on May 31, 2020 on the eve of a further relaxation of the novel coronavirus lockdown rules
People enjoy the sunshine on a beach at Ruislip Lido at a reservoir in Ruislip, Britain, 31 May 2020 amid soaring temperatures
People apply suncream in the sunshine on a beach at Ruislip Lido at a reservoir in Ruislip, Britain, 31 May 2020 with the south-east experiencing a surge in temperatures
Dominic Raab admits lockdown will need to be tightened again if there is an 'uptick' in coronavirus cases
Dominic Raab today defended easing coronavirus lockdown in England despite a chorus of warnings about a second spike - but admitted that curbs will have to be tightened again if there is an 'uptick'.
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the loosening that takes effect tomorrow is a 'sensitive moment', but insisted the government was making sensible changes to get the country back up and running.
'We can't just stay in lockdown forever. We have got to transition,' he said.
Mr Raab played down fears that the curbs are being downgraded even though the government's own coronavirus alert system level remains at four - which suggests they should stay in place.
And he stressed that ministers would not hesitate to reimpose restrictions in 'localities' or 'settings' if the number of cases begins to flare up again.
But the Westminster government is facing a wave of opposition to the relaxation from scientists who say an increase in cases is 'inevitable', while Nicola Sturgeon has stressed she is being more 'cautious' and the virus can still 'run out of control'.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured today) said the government would not hesitate to act as he defended the decision to loosen draconian restrictions
A series of experts have raised concern about the moved to ease the lockdown in England, which takes effect from tomorrow, with the UK still getting 8,000 new infections a day.
Up to six people from six different households will be permitted to meet up in public places or gardens, meaning exercise classes and barbecues are back on the agenda.
Primary schools and nurseries have also been told they can start to reopen, while all non-essential shops can return from June 15.
In Scotland and Wales the loosening is far less dramatic, with only two households allowed to meet up at a time and people told not to travel more than five miles from home. Schools north of the border will not be back until after holidays there in August.
Asked whether the lockdown will be tightened again if infection rates increase, Mr Raab told Sky's Ridge on Sunday: 'We will target, if there is any uptick, and it could be in a locality, it could be in a particular setting, we will target very carefully measures that would apply to it so that we can take these steps but also keep control of the virus.'
Families across England will finally be able to see their elderly relatives again tomorrow, as millions of vulnerable people 'shielding' are allowed to spend time outdoors.
As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, 2.2million vulnerable people will be able to go outside with members of their household, while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines. Those who live alone will be able to meet outside with one other person from another household, in a move that will bring joy to thousands.
Boris Johnson today hailed the 'resilience' of those who have been shielding since March, with many having no face-to-face contact since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime Minister said: 'I want to thank everyone who has followed the shielding guidance – it is because of your patience and sacrifice that thousands of lives have been saved.
'I do not underestimate just how difficult it has been for you, staying at home for the last ten weeks, and I want to pay tribute to your resilience.'
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon today accused England of under-reporting care home deaths as she swiped at Mr Johnson for easing lockdown too early.
The Scottish First Minister said the apparent higher proportion of victims in care homes north of the border was due to the way they are recorded.
She insisted that people who died of stroke and 'happened' to have coronavirus were counted in the numbers in Scotland - whereas they were not in England, meaning that there was 'under-reporting'.
Asked on Sky News whether she thought that the PM was loosening the lockdown in England too quickly, Ms Sturgeon insisted she did not want to 'criticise other politicians' and they were all 'trying to do the right things'.
But she pointedly said that in Scotland they were being 'very cautious'. 'This virus has not gone away,' she said. 'That is why in Scotland we are moving very slowly.'
Mr Johnson (pictured in Downing Street this morning) has announced that the lockdown restrictions will be eased slightly in England from tomorrow
Pictured: Today's weather forecast from the Met Office as temperatures are set to climb even higher this afternoon
People social distance whilst waiting for their morning coffee at the Plymouth Hoe in Devon today as temperatures soar
Lifeguards, coastguards and paramedics attend an incident on Constantine beach on the north coast of Cornwall this afternoon
The RNLI has reinstated their lifeguard activity on Constantine Bay after people flocked to the area in sunny weather
People are pictured off the coast at Plymouth Hoe in Devon as sunseekers take to the sea and beach in rising temperatures
Man in his 30s dies and two people are rescued after fishing boat sinks a mile off the Lancashire coast
A man in his 30s has died and two others were rescued from the water after a boat sunk off the coast of Lancashire.
A vessel - thought to be a decommissioned fishing boat - got into trouble about a mile from the coast of Fleetwood.
A man went down with the boat and his body was later found by the RNLI.
The coastguard dispatched two lifeboats, the Shannon class 13-07 and the in-shore D class.
Two men - aged 70 and 71 - were picked up by support vessel Eden Rose from the local wind farm.
A man in his 30s has died and two others were rescued from the water after a boat sunk off the coast of Fleetwood, Lancashire (stock image pictured)
The men were taken back to shore by the Shannon class vessel before being rushed to hospital as a precaution after suffering from shock and the effects of the cold water.
The Shannon class vessel then returned to look for the missing man along with the Coastguard helicopter.
The coastguard dispatched two lifeboats, the Shannon class 13-07 and the in-shore D class (stock image pictured)
Beach-goers were crammed together to make room for air ambulances to land at Durdle Door in Dorset yesterday after four people injured themselves jumping off cliffs into the sea.
The four unidentified jumpers vaulted from the top of the ancient limestone arch, which reaches 200ft at its highest point, and are in critical condition, according to Dorset Police.
Images from the scene show a mass of sun-seekers crammed into one area, near the only available exit, as they try to vacate the area as the air ambulance lands.
Despite initially claiming that only three people were hurt jumping off the famous archway, it emerged last night that the figure is one higher.
Mark Dowie, the RNLI's chief executive, wrote an open letter asking the government to restrict beach access before 'more lives are lost'.
But former Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie says that the RNLI could fun a full £20million lifeguard service from the £124m in crisis funds that it reported in 2018.
The organisation says that using such funds is not a long-term solution and the group expects a £45million shortfall this year.
Police, the ambulance service, the coastguard and the RNLI attended the Dorset beauty spot on Saturday afternoon.
Videos posted on social media show people climbing and leaping from the arch at the site, which is 200ft high.
Air ambulances landed at the scene and crowds of people were evacuated from the beach and surrounding cliff area. Dorset Police confirmed that three people had sustained serious injuries and were receiving medical treatment.
That evening, Dorset Council said Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove would be closed 'until further notice'. On Sunday morning, the council tweeted that the roads to the popular sites remained closed.
'You will not be able to visit the beaches there and will be asked to turn around if you try and access the villages,' the council said.
It said the measure would be reviewed on Monday but urged people to avoid the area 'for now'. Dorset Police tweeted: 'Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove remain closed today along with approach roads to the area. Please do not travel as you will be turned away.'
On Saturday, a post on Poole Police's Facebook page said the 'critical incident' had involved people jumping from the arch of Durdle Door into the sea.
'The arch of Durdle Door is approximately 200 feet in height. Hitting water from that height, roughly 77mph, can be critical,' it said.
'This is further compounded by tides, currents and altering depth of the sea bed. It is NOT an appropriate location for this type of activity.'
Spain and Greece warn Britons will NOT be welcome when airlines return to the skies
Airlines are plotting a major return to the skies come July, amid growing speculation that the government will ease its quarantine measures for international arrivals - but two summer hotspots may not allow Brits to visit.
British Airways, EasyJet and RyanAir have announced thousands of redundancies after the coronavirus lockdown grounded most of their flights in March.
But as domestic lockdown measures ease, companies are now scheduling more than 160,000 passenger flights from July, with room for 29.5million passengers, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
Heathrow Airport has been empty in May compared to previous years, but airline companies are now planning a return to service in July, should quarantine measures be eased
Home Secretary Priti Patel's quarantine plan, which from June 8 will require anyone entering the UK to self-isolate for two weeks, appeared to torpedo Britons' hopes of a European summer holiday.
But there are rumblings the government could change its plan when the quarantine is reviewed on June 29.
A senior industry source told The Telegraph: 'The sense is that they might quietly do a U-turn after the first review period. Grant Shapps [Transport Secretary] is against quarantine, the Treasury are against it, Beis is against it and DCMS hate it.'
Meanwhile, people were slammed for running around naked and causing harassment on a popular quayside, have caused a pub to shutdown.
The rising levels of anti social behaviour on The Quay in Exeter, Devon, has led to the Prospect Inn closing down its takeaway service.
The pub said: 'WE ARE DONE. The anti social behaviour on the Quay worsens day by day, but Friday night was the final straw: abuse, harassment, urination and public nudity.'
Tories today slammed 'hard-left' unions opposing the reopening of schools amid claims a fifth of staff will stay off tomorrow.
The National Education Union (NEU) was accused of 'chasing headlines' by resisting the 'phased and cautious' plans to get pupils back in the classroom.
The row came as general secretary Mary Bousted dismissed the idea of making up for lost time during the summer holidays, saying her members had been working 'flat out' during lockdown and deserved a break.
She said any headteachers looking to lay on catch-up classes, especially for those pupils going into GCSEs and A levels, should only offer voluntary clubs and activities during the school holidays.
Her words came as a fifth of teachers are expected to stay home on Monday when Reception, Year One and Year Six pupils sit behind their desks again. The figure was revealed by a TES survey of 5,000 school leaders.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday from her home in south London, Ms Bousted said: 'No. The summer holiday shouldn't be cancelled because teachers have been working flat out to provide education for children at home.
'So what should happen is, and we do support this, to have clubs and activities on a volunteer basis for those children to meet together to socialise.
'We don't think the emphasis should be on catch up because many of those children will need to re-socialise, re-engage and re-engage with a love of learning and be involved in creative activities which enable them to become part of a wider society again and have the desire to learn again.'
Pictured: The air ambulance helicopter touches down at Durdle Door on Saturday afternoon before the council today closed the beauty spot due to injuries
Rowers are pictured on the River Thames near Maidenhead in Berkshire as temperatures soar in the south-east of England
Boris Johnson's SISTER Rachel is accused of flouting lockdown
Rachel Johnson has been accused of bending lockdown rules by staying at her second home in Notting Hill after finishing her presenting shift at LBC.
Boris Johnson's younger sister has previously said she is isolating at her home in Exmoor, Somerset, making only essential journeys to Leicester Square in London where she presents an evening show on the talk radio station.
According to The Mirror, instead of travelling four hours back to Somerset on Friday, Ms Johnson instead opted to stay at her second home in Notting Hill, where her two sons live.
Rachel Johnson was seen returning to her home in Notting Hill on Saturday, having stayed the night after a presenting shift on LBC on Friday
It is claimed she travelled back to the Exmoor farm, she shares with her husband and daughter, on Saturday morning by train.
A Whitehall source told The Mirror: 'It doesn't look good for anyone,' adding: 'First his friend Dom and now his sister have been caught bending the rules, if not breaking them.'
The radio host's spokesman told The Mirror Ms Johnson 'sometimes stays over,' after finishing her show at 7pm.
They added Ms Johnson has keyworker status as she is a broadcaster, saying she stays alert at all times while travelling between her job and her home.
MailOnline has approached Ms Johnson's for a full comment.
Prof Openshaw told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme: 'At the moment, we still have quite a large number of cases out there in the community and I think unlocking too fast carries a great risk that all the good work that's been put in by everyone, to try to reduce transmission may be lost. So we do need to proceed with great, great care at this point.'
Asked if the Government is going too fast, he said: 'I think there is a pretty unanimous message now that we need to take this slowly and go step by step. We need to evaluate the effect of each step before we move to the next one.
'I don't hear any great dissent amongst the amongst the advisers who are speaking in public at the moment.'
He said it will be around two or three weeks before the effects of the latest easing of restrictions is known.
He told the Marr show: 'It's going to be very patchy, it may be that actually easing lockdown is perfectly OK in areas like London which were hit early and hit hard, and where the epidemic seems to have been virtually passed in many parts of the community, with a few exception.
'But up north it's still a very large number of cases. I think we need to be more subtle about the geography and we need to look at the particular areas where it may be appropriate to ease lockdown.'
He added: 'Maybe there needs to be a bit more subtlety to the way in which lockdown is eased.'
Prof Openshaw also said he believed advice on who needs to shield can be 'fine tuned' to prevent people being kept at home unnecessarily.
'I think we're going to be able to fine-tune the advice now and actually reassure some people who we feared might be susceptible, that in fact they're not as vulnerable as we thought. So that's really good news,' he said.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the government's chief science officer Sir Patrick Vallance explained Sage was only there to advise politicians, who have the final say on what to do with evidence presented to them.
He wrote: 'Science advice to Cobr and to ministers needs to be direct and given without fear or favour. But it is advice. Ministers must decide and have to take many other factors into consideration.'
The chair of Sage explained the advisory board was not infallible, writing: 'There is a range of opinions in all of discussions and there is wide reading of the latest research, but what Sage endeavours to do is come down to a position or a range of positions, to provide options ministers could consider and explain the uncertainties and assumptions inherent in that science and evidence.'
Unions today insisted summer holidays should not be cancelled because teachers have been working 'flat out' during lockdown.
Despite the loss of face-to-face lessons, Mary Bousted, general secretary of the National Education Union, said her members deserved the time off.
She said any headteachers looking to recuperate lessons, especially for those pupils going into GCSEs and A levels, should only offer voluntary clubs and activities during the school holidays.
In a broadside to government the trade union chief also slammed the government's decision to re-open schools on June 1, saying if they had waited until June 15 the infection rate could have been halved.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday from south London, Bousted said: 'No. The summer holiday shouldn't be cancelled because teachers have been working flat out to provide education for children at home.
'So what should happen is, and we do support this, to have clubs and activities on a volunteer basis for those children to meet together to socialise.
'We don't think the emphasis should be on catch up because many of those children will need to re-socialise, re-engage and re-engage with a love of learning and be involved in creative activities which enable them to become part of a wider society again and have the desire to learn again.'
Her words came as a fifth of teachers are expected to stay home on Monday when Reception, Year One and Year Six pupils sit behind their desks again. The figure was revealed by a TES survey of 5,000 school leaders.
They may be off because they suffer from health conditions including asthma and diabetes, live with a vulnerable family member or because they are at heightened risk due to their age.
They also found eleven out of the country's 20 worst performing councils on tests have told head teachers to keep the gates bolted.
The government plans to get Reception, Year One and Year Six pupils back to school on Monday, with an ambition to then get Year 10 and 12 back in lessons on June 15.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all pushed back their school start dates.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson sought to calm concerned parents today, writing in the Sun on Sunday that pupils will not be allowed to gather in groups larger than 15. He also assured parents it would be safe, saying 'strict safety measures' have been put in place to protect children.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMieGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODM3NDMxNy9CZS1zZW5zaWJsZS1IZWFsdGgtY2hpZWYtYmVnLUJyaXRvbnMtbm90LXB1c2gtZWFzZWQtbG9ja2Rvd24tcnVsZXMuaHRtbNIBfGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODM3NDMxNy9hbXAvQmUtc2Vuc2libGUtSGVhbHRoLWNoaWVmLWJlZy1Ccml0b25zLW5vdC1wdXNoLWVhc2VkLWxvY2tkb3duLXJ1bGVzLmh0bWw?oc=5
2020-05-31 18:52:51Z
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