Babak Belurs

Selasa, 29 September 2020

Boris Johnson to give joint press conference with Chris Whitty & Patrick Vallance tomorrow as coronavirus - The Sun

BORIS Johnson will give a rare joint coronavirus press conference tomorrow with Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance for the first time in weeks, as new infections have continued to soar.

The Prime Minister will deliver another update on the second wave now gripping Britain as fears grow over even stricter national measures to come.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Boris Johnson will address the nation tomorrow afternoonCredit: AFP and licensors

The PM will be flanked by the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviserCredit: PA:Press Association

It comes as areas of England, including Newcastle, were given even tighter coronavirus restrictions, making it illegal to meet with people not in your household.

New laws preventing people from mixing between families will come into place in the North East tomorrow.

Mr Johnson gave a televised address last week as he announced a 10pm curfew on pubs and other hospitality venues, alongside orders for office workers to work from home once again.

It is not expected that Boris will announce further national restrictions tomorrow, but he will address the skyrocketing infection numbers amid fears of a second national lockdown.

Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick also gave a briefing last week, giving Brits a grim warning about the sheer scale of the outbreak.

They warned that the UK could see 50,000 coronavirus cases a day in just three weeks and deaths could soar by thousands if the bug continues to spread at its current rate.

And the coronavirus alert level was once again raised to level 4.

New infections in the UK rose by 4,044 yesterday as 13 more deaths were recorded.

But that number jumped past 6,000 for most of last week, as the PM and his top experts rung the alarm bell over rising cases.

Britain hit an all-time high of 6,874 recorded in a single day too.

More than 17 million Brits are currently subject to local lockdown restrictions, including bans on meeting up with other households.

And there are warnings that London could be given fresh lockdown rules banning meeting with other households.

But as more places were given different disjointed rules, even the PM was unable to clearly explain what they were today as he fumbled over whether people could meet outdoors in the North East.

The PM was forced to clarify the rules with a tweet just hours after a chaotic press conference.

Minister have considered ordering all pubs and restaurants to shut for a fortnight and different households banned from socialising indoors under an emergency lockdown plan.

The social lockdown was an option presented to the Cabinet’s strategy committee before last week’s fresh restrictions.

In his speech last week, the PM said restrictions could last six months as the virus tightens its grip on Britain.

He said gave warnings that "significantly greater restrictions" could be slapped on the country "if all our actions fail to bring the R below 1" in the coming weeks.

PM Boris Johnson struggles to clarify if people in North East can meet in a pub garden under new coronavirus restrictions

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2020-09-29 16:50:00Z
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Coronavirus: Biggest ever rise in new cases recorded in the UK - Sky News

There have been another 7,143 cases of coronavirus reported in the UK in the last 24 hours - the biggest rise since the pandemic began.

71 coronavirus-related deaths have also been recorded - the highest number since 1 July.

The significant rise in COVID-19 cases comes after the number of positive tests fell at the weekend, with Monday's figure at 4,044 cases.

Live updates of the latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world

Historically, reported cases on Tuesdays tend to be higher, due to a weekend lag.

Analysis: This is a worrying direction of travel

By Laura Bundock, Sky correspondent

There's no doubt we are testing more, so more cases are being picked up.

Experts suggest around the peak of the pandemic there were probably 100,000 new infections every day, we just didn't have the testing in place to find them.

The latest figures don't come anywhere near this, but what is worrying is we know the ratio of positive results to the number of tests is also rising.

This is a concern because a rise in infections seems likely to lead to a rise in deaths.

This could well take time to happen. But already, over the last four weeks, we have started to see a rise in the number of reported deaths.

It's worth remembering, Tuesday figures tend to be higher because of a delay in recording over a weekend.

But overall there does appear to be an upward trend, and that is a worrying direction of travel.

Tuesday's 7,143 new cases is an increase of five-times more than it was four weeks ago, when 1,295 cases were reported.

The 71 deaths are a sharp rise on Tuesday last week, when 37 fatalities were recorded.

There are 2,049 coronavirus patients in hospital across the UK, up until the 27 September, a rise from 1,331 in the previous week.

There are 262 patients in ventilator beds.

The prime minister is expected to give an update on the outbreak on Wednesday from Downing Street, alongside Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, and Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance, amid the recent increase in cases.

On Monday, the government announced that household mixing in the north east of England would be banned from Wednesday evening, after a surge in cases in the region.

Gavin Williamson says the government wants students to go home for Christmas — 'We want students to spend Christmas with loved ones'

It was already illegal for two households to mix indoors or in the garden, but until now it was only guidance that they should not meet in public venues such as restaurants and pubs.

There had also been worries that university students would be forced to stay in their accommodation over the Christmas period, however the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, said that they will be able to return to families but some may have to self-isolate beforehand.

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2020-09-29 16:27:01Z
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Boris Johnson 'misspoke' over North East Covid restrictions - BBC News

Boris Johnson has apologised and said he "misspoke" when asked to clarify details of new tighter coronavirus restrictions in north-east England.

The rules, banning households from mixing in indoor settings, affect nearly two million people and are due to come into force at midnight.

However, confusion arose over whether this included outdoor settings such as pub beer gardens.

Labour said the PM was "grossly incompetent" for not knowing the rules.

Mr Johnson was asked to clarify the rules after a junior minister was unable to do so.

When asked if people in the North East can still meet people from other households outside, such as in a pub garden, Mr Johnson said people should follow local guidance and urged them to use their common sense.

He went on to wrongly to talk about the rule of six.

"In the North East and other areas where extra tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities - but it's six in a home, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside," he said.

On Twitter, Mr Johnson went on to apologise and clarified that the new rules meant those in the North East "cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home".

"You should also avoid socialising with other households outside," he added.

Earlier, when asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if people could meet in pub gardens, Education Minister Gillian Keegan said: "I'm sorry I can't clarify that.

"I don't know the answer to that question but I'm sure they can find out the answer to that question."

When pressed, she said: "I'm sorry I can't answer that question.

"I'm sure there are many people who could. I don't represent the North East."

'Complexity is becoming a real risk'

One of the key requirements of public health messaging is to create a clear idea of what steps people are expected to follow.

This was easier during spring's complete lockdown than it is now when the desire to keep society open means guidance has to be nuanced and tailored more.

Devolution has meant each part of the UK is free to come up with its own versions of what should be done.

On top of that, there are the extra restrictions imposed on local areas with high rates of infection.

It is understandable that these are tailored to local circumstances and therefore vary from place to place.

But the more complicated and intricate the rules become, the more chance the public simply switches off.

Advisers have already warned ministers publicly and privately that this is becoming a real risk alongside the problems of actually enforcing the rules in the first place.

But, as with so much with the pandemic, the problem is easy to identify - the solution less so.

People who break a new law banning households from mixing indoors in north-east England, including in pubs, will be fined.

Mixing with other households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal, but goes against advice, the Department for Health and Social Care has said.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the government "needs to get a grip", saying: "These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight."

About two million people in Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and the County Durham council area have already been advised to avoid mixing.

But the new rules will come into force from Wednesday.

For those over 18 it will be £200 for a first offence, but halved if paid within 14 days.

A second offence will incur a £400 fine, which then doubles for each subsequent offence - up to a maximum of £6,400.

But Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes said a lack of detail about the measures had led to "confusion".

Mr Forbes said having a "gap between what's announced in headlines and the details that people can understand" undermined the "principle of community consent".

"What that does is sow confusion, it creates doubt, it creates uncertainty," he added.

In areas not covered by extra restrictions in England, the rule of six - meaning social gatherings are limited to six people - applies in private homes, indoors and outdoors, and places such as pubs, restaurants, cafes and public outdoor spaces.

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2020-09-29 13:52:30Z
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Students home for Christmas with end of term online - BBC News

Universities in England could finish face-to-face teaching early this term so any students having to self-isolate could return home for Christmas, says the education secretary.

But Gavin Williamson rejected calls to switch all teaching to online.

The latest estimate suggests 52 UK universities have had Covid cases so far this term - up by 12 since Monday.

Labour accused Mr Williamson of being the "invisible man" who had failed "to get to grips with the situation".

The National Union of Students said it was "unacceptable" that some students had found themselves facing "private security guards with dogs" at their locked-down accommodation.

Early end for Christmas

Mr Williamson told the House of Commons that universities could move to online-only learning before term would usually end - so that students in local Covid outbreaks would have time to isolate and still be able to travel home at Christmas.

"I know there has been some anxiety about the impact the safety measures will have on the Christmas holidays," Mr Williamson told MPs.

"We are going to work with universities to make sure that all students are supported to return home safely to spend Christmas with their loved ones, if they choose to do so," he said.

But addressing concerns about students who are self isolating at the end of term, he said universities could end "in-person learning early" and shift to "online learning solely" to ensure "that all students are able to have the benefit of being with their families for Christmas".

Mr Williamson said he expected that to be a "very small number of universities".

And he said that restrictions on students should be no tighter than for the rest of the public - and there should be "parity" in terms of limits on their movement.

Isolated with strangers

Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green said the situation with students returning to university and ending up in self-isolation was "desperately worrying", as well as "predictable and predicted".

Ms Green said the government had failed "to get testing fit-for-purpose" and if Mr Williamson's department "didn't get a grip, the situation could repeat itself across the country".

"We cannot forget that at the heart of this crisis are thousands of young people, many way from home for the first time, many now isolating with a group of people who are practically strangers - we can only imagine how hard it is for them," she told MPs.

The government has been under pressure to respond after multiple Covid outbreaks followed the return of students, with many students then having to self-isolate.

There are no official figures from the government or regulators for the numbers of universities with outbreaks, but a tracking of local reports suggests cases in 52 universities, up from 40 on Monday.

There have been cases reported in Leeds, Glasgow, Sunderland, Essex and Swansea universities.

Exeter University responded to confirmed Covid cases by telling students that for the next 14 days they should not "meet indoors with anyone who is not part of your household".

The University of Aberystwyth's approach has been to suspend in-person teaching.

There are still students returning for the new term - and the UCU lecturers' union has written to the prime minister asking for this to be reversed so that students are able to study online from home instead.

The union's leader Jo Grady has told Boris Johnson that the biggest danger areas for infection are face-to-face teaching and student halls of residence - and has called on the prime minister for "swift action" to switch to online, off-campus teaching.

But Mr Williamson told MPs that universities were "well prepared" to handle any Covid outbreaks - and rejected suggestions of switching away from a mix of face-to-face teaching and online.

"There are many courses including medicine and dentistry, as well as the creative arts, which require a face to face element," said the education secretary.

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2020-09-29 13:42:57Z
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Students home for Christmas with end of term online - BBC News

Universities in England could finish face-to-face teaching early this term so any students having to self-isolate could return home for Christmas, says the education secretary.

But Gavin Williamson rejected calls to switch all teaching to online.

The latest estimate suggests 49 UK universities have had Covid cases so far this term - up nine since Monday.

Labour accused Mr Williamson of being the "invisible man" who had failed "to get to grips with the situation".

"I know there has been some anxiety about the impact the safety measures will have on the Christmas holidays," Mr Williamson told MPs.

'Ending early'

"We are going to work with universities to make sure that all students are supported to return home safely to spend Christmas with their loved ones, if they choose to do so," he said.

But addressing concerns about students who are self isolating at the end of term, he said universities could end "in-person learning early" and shift to "online learning solely" in order "to ensure that all students are able to have the benefit of being with their families for Christmas".

Mr Williamson said he expected that to be a "very small number of universities".

Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green said the situation with students returning to university and ending up in self-isolation was "desperately worrying", as well as "predictable and predicted".

Ms Green said the government had failed "to get testing fit-for-purpose" and if Mr Williamson's department "didn't get a grip, the situation could repeat itself across the country".

The government has been under pressure to respond after multiple Covid outbreaks followed the return of students, with many students then having to self-isolate.

There are no official figures from the government or regulators for the numbers of universities with outbreaks, but a tracking of local reports suggests cases in 49 universities, up from 40 on Monday.

There have been cases reported in Leeds, Glasgow, Sunderland, Essex and Swansea universities.

Exeter University responded to confirmed Covid cases by telling students that for the next 14 days they should not "meet indoors with anyone who is not part of your household".

The University of Aberystwyth's approach has been to suspend in-person teaching.

But Mr Williamson told MPs that universities were "well prepared" to handle any Covid outbreaks - and rejected suggestions of switching away from a mix of face-to-face teaching and online.

"There are many courses including medicine and dentistry, as well as the creative arts, which require a face to face element," said the education secretary.

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Boris Johnson 'misspoke' over North East Covid restrictions - BBC News

Boris Johnson has apologised saying he "misspoke" when asked to clarify details of new tighter coronavirus restrictions in north-east England.

The rules, banning households from mixing in indoor settings, affect nearly two million people and are due to come into force at midnight.

However, confusion arose over whether this included outdoor settings such as pub beer gardens.

Labour said the PM was "grossly incompetent" for not knowing the rules.

Mr Johnson was asked to clarify the rules after a junior minister was unable to do so.

He went on to wrongly to talk about the rule of six.

"On the rule of six outside the areas where it, such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in, it's six inside six outside," Mr Johnson said.

"In the North East and other areas where extra tight measures have been bought in you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it's, it's six in a home, six in hospitality but as I understand it not six outside."

Earlier, when asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if people could meet in pub gardens, education Minister Gillian Keegan said: "I'm sorry I can't clarify that.

"I don't know the answer to that question but I'm sure they can find out the answer to that question."

When pressed, she said: "I'm sorry I can't answer that question.

"I'm sure there are many people who could. I don't represent the North East."

On Twitter, Mr Johnson later clarified that the new rules meant those in the North East "cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home".

"You should also avoid socialising with other households outside," he added.

Mixing with other households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal, but goes against advice, the Department for Health and Social Care has said.

About two million people in Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and the County Durham council area have already been advised to avoid mixing.

But the new rules, from Wednesday, will be enforced with fines.

For those over 18 it will be £200 for a first offence, but halved if paid within 14 days.

A second offences will incur a £400 fine, which then doubles for each subsequent offence - up to a maximum of £6,400.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the PM was "grossly incompetent" for not knowing the rules, saying: "These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight. The government needs to get a grip."

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2020-09-29 12:46:19Z
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Coronavirus: Some uni students 'may have to self-isolate' in run-up to Christmas, education secretary says - Sky News

University students will be able to return home for Christmas, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said some students may have to self-isolate at the end of term.

Speaking to the Commons, Mr Williamson said: "I know there has been some anxiety about the impact safety measures will have on the Christmas holidays.

"We are going to work with universities to make sure that all students are supported to return home safely and spend Christmas with their loved ones if they choose to do so."

However, he said some students may have to self-isolate at the end of term - which could involve ending face-to-face learning early if needed.

The education secretary said it is "essential" that measures are put in place to make sure students can return home for the holidays if they want to.

He added that further guidance will be published "so that every student will be able to spend Christmas with their family".

At least 33 universities in the UK have confirmed cases of coronavirus, while another two have suspected cases, according to Sky News research.

Thousands of students are having to self-isolate, including around 1,700 at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Mr Williamson said universities have been asked to provide "additional help and practical support" to students, including ensuring those self-isolating have access to food, medical and cleaning supplies.

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Thanking students for their co-operation so far, he said: "We will never be in a position where we can eliminate all risk.

"But we will not condemn a generation of young people by asking them to put their lives on hold for months or years ahead.

"We believe that universities are very well prepared to handle any outbreaks as they arise."

Shadow education secretary Kate Green said that if Mr Williamson does not "get a grip", the situation in universities could get worse.

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh also warned that "we cannot destroy the life chances of the young".

"If you're doing history, you cannot be condemned to permanent online teaching, you might as well sit at home. Why have you paid all this money?" he said.

Sir Edward added: "This is not the sort of university that we all want, a place of light and learning, not enforced lockdowns."

Analysis: This news will be welcome - but questions remain
By Kate McCann, political correspondent

Gavin Williamson was no doubt dreading his appearance in the House of Commons this morning after a week of negative headlines about students forced to stay indoors.

Perhaps that is why he came armed with the one piece of news he knew they would all be waiting to hear - that work is under way to make sure they can return home for Christmas.

In reality, keeping people from their families over the festive period was never going to work, but after being asked if it was possible last week Health Secretary Matt Hancock did not rule it out.

The news today that all will be able to go home even if some have to self-isolate first will be welcomed then.

More guidance on how it will work will be set out shortly by ministers, but whatever the rules state it will rely on common sense and people's love for their families to protect the most vulnerable.

Manchester students: First year 'kind of ruined'

Other points of interest came as Labour's Kate Green asked whether the government will help universities who want to set up their own testing regimes.

Mr Williamson did not answer the question but some institutions look set to do so regardless amid fears the national system will not be able to cope over winter.

Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh vented his frustration at how it looks for a Conservative government to be locking down students in their accommodation.

Mr Williamson replied that students must follow the rules on self-isolation as everyone else does, but he pointedly said they should not be held to higher standards than that.

The government is facing big questions about its approach to the increase of COVID-19 infections and, despite a speech by the prime minister this morning and a statement from Mr Williamson, many of those questions remain.

Critics want to see a policy that makes sense while cutting the infection rate - they will not put up with trial and error.

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2020-09-29 12:17:32Z
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Selasa, 29 September 2020

STICK IT TO THE MA'AM

SOUPER BAD

VIRUS SPIKE

MEG BATTLE

CASTAWAY RIDDLE

'Complexity is becoming a real risk'

Early end for Christmas

Isolated with strangers

'Ending early'

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