Babak Belurs

Selasa, 08 September 2020

Coronavirus: Bolton restrictions tightened amid rise in cases - BBC News

Tighter coronavirus restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing takeaways and curtailing nightlife, after a rise in cases.

All hospitality venues will be limited to takeaway and must be closed to customers between 22:00 BST and 05:00 each day.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the town in Greater Manchester had "the highest case rate in the country."

A further 2,420 new coronavirus cases were reported across the UK on Tuesday.

Overall, there have been 8,356 new cases reported since Sunday.

A further 30 deaths within 28 days of a positive test across all settings were recorded on Tuesday - with the average number of daily deaths over the past week now around 11.

Ministers and government advisers expressed concern over a "sharp rise" in cases and a "heartfelt" apology was issued following shortages in England's testing system.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: "Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we've seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton.

"The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

"And through our contact tracing system we've identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly."

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The new measures, which come into force immediately, include:

All hospitality for food and drink (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are now restricted to takeaway only
Late night restriction of operating hours, meaning all venues, including takeaways, will be required to close from 22:00 to 05:00
It will become illegal for people to socialise with those outside their own household in any setting, even outdoors

Schools in Bolton will continue to welcome pupils as usual, Bolton Council said.

Council leader Cllr David Greenhalgh said: "This is not something we want to do, but it is clear the virus is currently moving round the borough uncontrolled and so we need to halt the transmission rate."

Muhammad Memon, 37, who owns Kids World clothing shop in Bolton town centre, said he had real fears about keeping his business afloat in light of the new restrictions.

"Town is empty. Four big retailers have shut down near me since lockdown," he said. "There is no footfall."

"I am praying for help from the government," he added.

The Alma Inn pub and music venue in Bolton announced on Facebook it would now close permanently, two days after it said a customer tested positive for Covid-19.

As well as restricting hospitality venues, Mr Hancock said visitor limits will also be put in place in care homes in Bolton.

The health secretary said: "I want us to learn the lesson from Spain, America and France - not to have to learn the lesson all over again ourselves through more hospitalisations and more deaths, and take this action locally in Bolton."

The move comes after plans to ease restrictions in Bolton were scrapped last week following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Mr Hancock also told MPs that a strict local lockdown in Leicester had resulted in a "very significant" drop in cases, with measures there to be reviewed on Thursday.

It came as students at universities across Greater Manchester, including Bolton, have been warned they face sanctions if they break rules to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson's official spokesman was asked whether the government was considering a change in guidance on household gatherings across England.

The spokesman said it was being kept under review and that ministers would not hesitate to act if needed.

Guidance in England currently says two households can meet indoors. Outdoors up to six people from different households can meet - or up to 30 people from two households.

The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said Covid-19 rates are now rising, especially amongst people between the ages of 17 and 29.

He warned that if people stopped social distancing then "Covid comes back".

'Relaxed too much'

England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam added: "People have relaxed too much. Now is the time for us to re-engage, and to realise that this is a continuing threat to us."

Although there has been a sharp rise in coronavirus cases reported in the last few days, the 30 deaths recorded on Tuesday are unrelated.

It takes time from becoming infected to developing symptoms. Someone who is very sick in hospital with coronavirus and who sadly dies will have caught the infection weeks before.

Earlier, Mr Hancock told MPs that a "sharp rise" in coronavirus cases in recent days had been across the whole country rather than in localised "hotspots".

Other parts of the UK are also facing tougher restrictions.

In Wales, the county borough of Caerphilly is now under a local lockdown lasting until at least October, prompting a "rush" for tests.

Stricter rules on visiting other people's homes were also extended to two more areas in the west of Scotland from midnight.

THE NAKED SCIENTISTS: Where did COVID-19 come from?
THE SECRET LIFE OF TEACHERS: What's it like returning to classrooms amid a global pandemic?

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2020-09-08 16:18:45Z
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Theresa May challenges Government after minister admits Brexit plan 'does break international law' - Evening Standard

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Theresa May challenges Government after minister admits Brexit plan 'does break international law' Evening Standard
Brexit: UK chief negotiator calls for 'realism' from EU BBC News
No 10 warns Brussels to 'get real' and accept Britain is an 'independent country' Daily Mail
The government’s shirking of responsibilities to satisfy Brexiteers is troubling but not unexpected The Independent
The Guardian view on Boris Johnson’s Brexit: my word is not my bond The Guardian
View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-09-08 14:56:40Z
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Coronavirus: Bolton restrictions tightened amid rise in cases - BBC News

Tighter coronavirus restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing takeaways and curtailing nightlife, after a rise in cases.

The new measures will require all hospitality venues to close between 22:00 BST and 05:00 each day.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the town in Greater Manchester had "the highest case rate in the country."

A further 2,420 new coronavirus cases were reported across the UK on Tuesday.

Overall, there have been 8,356 new cases reported since Sunday.

A further 30 deaths within 28 days of a positive test across all settings were recorded on Tuesday - with the average number of daily deaths over the past week now around 11.

It comes as ministers and government advisers expressed concern over a "sharp rise" in cases, especially amongst the young.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: "Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we've seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton.

"The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

"And through our contact tracing system we've identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly."

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The new measures, which come into force immediately, include:

All hospitality for food and drink (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are now restricted to takeaway only
Late night restriction of operating hours, meaning all venues, including takeaways, will be required to close from 22:00 to 05:00
It will become illegal for people to socialise with those outside their own household in any setting, even outdoors

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: "This is not something we want to do, but it is clear the virus is currently moving round the borough uncontrolled and so we need to halt the transmission rate."

Muhammad Memon, 37, who owns Kids World clothing shop in Bolton town centre, said he had real fears about keeping his business afloat in light of the new restrictions.

"Town is empty. Four big retailers have shut down near me since lockdown," he said. "There is no footfall."

"I am praying for help from the government," he added.

The Alma Inn pub and music venue in Bolton announced on Facebook it would now close permanently, two days after it said a customer tested positive for Covid-19.

As well as restricting hospitality venues, Mr Hancock said visitor limits will also be put in place in care homes in Bolton.

The move comes after plans to ease restrictions in Bolton were scrapped last week following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Mr Hancock also told MPs that a strict local lockdown in Leicester had resulted in a "very significant" drop in cases, with measures there to be reviewed on Thursday.

It came as Boris Johnson's official spokesman was asked whether the government was considering a change in guidance on household gatherings across England.

The spokesman said it was being kept under review and that ministers would not hesitate to act if needed.

Guidance in England currently says two households can meet indoors. Outdoors up to six people from different households can meet - or up to 30 people from two households.

The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said Covid-19 rates are now rising, especially amongst people between the ages of 17 and 29.

He warned that if people stopped social distancing then "Covid comes back".

England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam added: "People have relaxed too much. Now is the time for us to re-engage, and to realise that this is a continuing threat to us."

Although there has been a sharp rise in coronavirus cases reported in the last few days, the 30 deaths recorded on Tuesday are unrelated.

It takes time from becoming infected to developing symptoms. Someone who is very sick in hospital with coronavirus and who sadly dies will have caught the infection weeks before.

'Concerning'

Earlier, Mr Hancock told MPs that a "sharp rise" in coronavirus cases in recent days in the UK was "concerning" and the increase had been across the whole country rather than in localised "hotspots".

Other parts of the UK are also facing tougher restrictions.

In Wales, the county borough of Caerphilly will be placed under a local lockdown from 18:00 BST on Tuesday, lasting until at least October, prompting a local "rush" for tests.

Stricter rules on visiting other people's homes were also extended to two more areas in the west of Scotland from midnight.

THE NAKED SCIENTISTS: Where did COVID-19 come from?
THE SECRET LIFE OF TEACHERS: What's it like returning to classrooms amid a global pandemic?

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Coronavirus: Bolton restrictions tightened amid rise in cases - BBC News

Tighter coronavirus restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing takeaways and curtailing nightlife, after a rise in cases.

The new measures will require all hospitality venues to close between 22:00 BST and 05:00 each day.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the town in Greater Manchester had "the highest case rate in the country."

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The announcement comes after ministers and government advisers expressed concern over a "sharp rise" in cases across the UK, especially amongst the young.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: "Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we've seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton.

"The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

"And through our contact tracing system we've identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly."

The new measures, which come into force immediately, include:

All hospitality for food and drink (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are now restricted to takeaway only
Late night restriction of operating hours, meaning all venues, including takeaways, will be required to close from 22:00 to 05:00
It will become illegal for people to socialise with those outside their own household in any setting, even outdoors

Muhammad Memon, 37, who owns Kids World clothing shop in Bolton town centre, said he had real fears about keeping his business afloat in light of the new restrictions.

"Town is empty. Four big retailers have shut down near me since lockdown," he said. "There is no footfall."

"I am praying for help from the government," he added.

The Alma Inn pub and music venue in Bolton announced on Facebook it would now close permanently, two days after it said a customer tested positive for Covid-19.

As well as restricting hospitality venues, Mr Hancock said visitor limits will also be put in place in care homes in Bolton.

The move comes after plans to ease restrictions in Bolton were scrapped last week following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Mr Hancock also told MPs that a strict local lockdown in Leicester had resulted in a "very significant" drop in cases, with measures there to be reviewed on Thursday.

It came as Boris Johnson's official spokesman was asked whether the government was considering a change in guidance on household gatherings across England.

The spokesman said it was being kept under review and that ministers would not hesitate to act if needed.

Guidance in England currently says two households can meet indoors. Outdoors up to six people from different households can meet - or up to 30 people from two households.

A further 2,948 cases across the UK were reported on Monday which, together with a similar figure on Sunday, prompted ministers and scientists to express concern.

The UK government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said Covid-19 rates are now rising, especially amongst people between the ages of 17 and 29.

He warned that if people stopped social distancing then "Covid comes back".

England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van Tam added: "People have relaxed too much. Now is the time for us to re-engage, and to realise that this is a continuing threat to us."

A further three deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test were reported on Monday.

Earlier, Mr Hancock told MPs that a "sharp rise" in coronavirus cases in recent days in the UK was "concerning" and the increase had been across the whole country rather than in localised "hotspots".

Other parts of the UK are also facing tougher restrictions.

In Wales, the county borough of Caerphilly will be placed under a local lockdown from 18:00 BST on Tuesday, lasting until at least October.

Stricter rules on visiting other people's homes were also extended to two more areas in the west of Scotland from midnight.

THE NAKED SCIENTISTS: Where did COVID-19 come from?
THE SECRET LIFE OF TEACHERS: What's it like returning to classrooms amid a global pandemic?

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Northern Ireland Secretary admits new bill will 'break international law' - BBC News

A government minister has said a new bill to amend the UK's Brexit deal with the EU will "break international law".

Concerns had been raised about legislation being brought forward which could change parts of the withdrawal agreement, negotiated last year.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded it would go against the treaty in a "specific and limited way".

Former PM Theresa May warned the change could damage "trust" in the UK over future trade deals with other states.

Labour's shadow attorney general, Lord Charlie Falconer, said the government had "an obligation to comply with the law, domestic and international".

He added: "Throughout the Brexit process, the government purported to act within the law. This is new. And very bad."

No 10 revealed on Monday that it would be introducing a new UK Internal Market Bill that could affect post-Brexit customs and trade rules in Northern Ireland.

Downing Street said it would only make "minor clarifications in extremely specific areas" - but it worried some in Brussels and Westminster that it could see the government try to change the withdrawal agreement, which became international law when the UK left the EU in January.

It comes as a sixth leading civil servant announced he is to resign from government - the permanent secretary to the Government Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones - amid reports he was "very unhappy" about the bill.

The row also comes at the start of the eighth round of post-Brexit trade deal talks between the UK and the EU.

The two sides are trying to secure a deal before the end of the transition period on 31 December, which will see the UK going onto World Trade Organisation rules if no agreement is reached.

The UK's chief Brexit negotiator, Lord David Frost, called for "realism" from his EU counterparts, saying he would "drive home our clear message that we must make progress this week if we are to reach an agreement in time".

The EU said it would "do everything in [its] power to reach an agreement" with the UK, but "will be ready" for a no-deal scenario.

On Monday, Boris Johnson said if a deal hadn't been done by the time the European Council meets on 15 October, the two sides should "move on" and accept the UK's exit without one.

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Louise Haigh, said it was "deeply concerning" that the prime minister "appeared to be undermining the legal obligations of his own deal" with the introduction of the new law while the negotiations are taking place.

'Rule of law'

The text of the new bill will not be published until Wednesday, although the government has confirmed it will deal with the issue of the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol - an element of the withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland after Brexit.

The practicalities of the protocol - which will deal with issues of state aid (financial support given to businesses by governments) and whether there needs to be customs checks on goods - is still being negotiated by a joint UK and EU committee.

But Mr Lewis said the bill would take "limited and reasonable steps to create a safety net" if the negotiations failed.

Speaking during an urgent question on the bill, chair of the Justice Committee and Tory MP Bob Neill said the "adherence to the rule of law is not negotiable".

He asked Mr Lewis: "Will he assure us that nothing proposed in this legislation does or potentially might breach international obligations or international legal arrangements?"

The Northern Ireland Secretary replied: "Yes. This does break international law in a very specific and limited way."

He said the government was still working "in good faith" with the EU joint committee to overcome its concerns for the future of trade in Northern Ireland, but said there was "clear precedence for UK and indeed other countries needing to consider their obligations if circumstances change".

Mrs May - who stood down as prime minister last year after her own Brexit deal failed to get the support of Parliament - said: "The United Kingdom government signed the withdrawal agreement with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"This Parliament voted that withdrawal agreement into UK legislation. The government is now changing the operation of that agreement."

"How can the government reassure future international partners that the UK can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs?"

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, also called it a "sad and shocking state of affairs for our country".

He tweeted: "Breaking international law will do untold damage to our reputation abroad, it will make us poorer and make it harder to solve global crises like the climate emergency."

'Union splitting deal'

Sammy Wilson, who acts as Brexit spokesman for the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, said he was "pleased" to have the new bill that could deal with some of the issues that could affect his constituents - such as state aid and customs checks.

But he said the DUP had "warned ministers of the impact of the withdrawal agreement" early on, saying it was a "union splitting, economy destroying and border creating agreement that has to be changed and replaced".

He added: "We will judge this bill on whether it delivers on these kind of issues."

However, Claire Hanna, a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MP for Belfast South, said the protocol was "a symptom… of four years of terrible political decision making".

She added: "It is now the law. This government is obliged to implement it in full."

She also "cautioned" Mr Lewis "not to use the threat of a border on the island of Ireland or the hard won impartiality of the Good Friday Agreement as a cat's paw in this or any other negotiation."

But former Conservative leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said the act that brought the withdrawal agreement into law in the UK allowed the government to "reserve the right to make clarifications under the sovereignty clause".

Mr Lewis agreed, saying the law would "clarify... the points about what will apply in January if we are not able to get satisfactory and mutually suitable conclusions" in negotiations.

He added: "It is reasonable and sensible to give that certainty and clarity to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland."

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2020-09-08 13:41:15Z
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Top UK government lawyer quits over Brexit withdrawal agreement changes - Financial Times

The head of the UK government’s legal department has quit over Boris Johnson’s proposal to row back on parts of last year’s Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Jones, the Treasury solicitor and permanent secretary at the Government Legal Department, is the sixth senior Whitehall official to resign this year, amid growing tensions between the prime minister and staff at the top of the civil service.

The Attorney-General’s Office confirmed Sir Jonathan’s departure but declined to comment further. Mr Johnson’s spokesperson said: “We thank him for his years of long service and wish him well for the future.”

Sir Jonathan did not explain his decision in a short resignation letter posted online. But two officials with knowledge of the situation told the Financial Times that he was leaving his position due to a dispute with Downing Street over its plans to challenge parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Those close to Sir Jonathan said he was “very unhappy” about the decision to overwrite parts of the Northern Ireland protocol, part of the 2019 withdrawal agreement, with new powers in the UK internal market bill.

One person familiar with the events leading up to Sir Jonathan’s decision to resign said it had followed months of tension over the handling of the Brexit negotiations and legal disagreements with Suella Braverman, the attorney-general.

Ms Braverman was appointed in February after the previous attorney-general, Geoffrey Cox, was sacked by Mr Johnson for making what one insider described as “uncomfortable noises” about the importance of abiding by international law.

Sir Jonathan is understood to have been dissatisfied with Ms Braverman’s initial interpretation of the legal implications of a no-deal Brexit, and requested official advice from government law officers.

Two people familiar with the discussions said questions were raised over whether government plans to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement were in breach of the ministerial code that obliges ministers to follow the law, including international law.

In the event, the advice of the law officers was split, with Downing Street deciding to accept the advice of Ms Braverman.

The government is understood to have commissioned external advice which determined the government, while free to legislate domestically as it saw fit, would be in breach of international obligations if it legislated in contradiction to the withdrawal agreement.

“Jonathan was one of the good guys,” said a person familiar with the internal deliberations. “He’s a man of enormous integrity.”

Number 10 has insisted the new powers were “limited” and were needed to bring clarity to the protocol agreed and signed by Mr Johnson in October last year.

The internal market bill will put powers in the hands of UK ministers to interpret the Northern Ireland protocol. But Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, is expected to insist in Brexit negotiations in London on Tuesday that the UK must implement the protocol in full.

Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, wrote on Twitter: “I trust the British government to implement the withdrawal agreement, an obligation under international law & prerequisite for any future partnership.

“The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is essential to protect peace and stability on the island & integrity of the single market.”

Theresa May, the former prime minister, criticised the government for its proposals in the House of Commons on Tuesday. “How can the government reassure future international partners that the UK can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs?” she said.

Sir Jonathan became head of the government’s legal department in 2014, having previously worked as a legal adviser and solicitor at the Home Office, the Attorney-General’s Office and the Department for Education. He is also a barrister.

Sir Jonathan’s departure follows the exit of cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill, Simon McDonald from the Foreign Office, Philip Rutnam from the Home Office, Richard Heaton from the Ministry of Justice and Jonathan Slater from the Department for Education.

Dave Penman, head of the FDA union that represents senior civil servants, said Sir Jonathan’s departure was “an extraordinary decision of principle” that represented “the very best values of an impartial and professional civil service”.

“Civil servants, like ministers, have an obligation to uphold the rule of law: the ministerial and civil service code are both unequivocal on this,” he said. “It is, therefore, all the more extraordinary that the government’s most senior legal adviser has decided he has no choice but to resign over an issue that he presumably believes conflicts with his own and ministerial obligations, to act within both the spirit and letter of the law.”

Charlie Falconer, the shadow attorney-general, said “there must be something very rotten about this government” if Sir Jonathan felt the need to resign.

“This resignation indicates that senior government lawyers think that the government are about to break the law,” he said. “The government is trashing the best of the UK: we are a law-abiding country and the government have some serious questions to answer.”

Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s chief adviser, wants civil servants to take more responsibility when policies go awry, but the failure of any minister to quit during the coronavirus crisis has heightened tensions. Mr Cummings has promised radical reform of the civil service, pledging that a “hard rain” will fall across Whitehall.

This article has been amended to remove reference to which government law officers Jonathan Jones sought official advice from.

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2020-09-08 13:15:00Z
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Coronavirus: Bolton restrictions tightened amid rise in cases - BBC News

Tighter coronavirus restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing takeaways and curtailing nightlife, after a rise in cases.

The new measures will require all hospitality venues to close between 22:00 and 05:00.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the town in Greater Manchester had "the highest case rate in the country."

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The announcement comes after ministers and government advisers expressed concern over a "sharp rise" in cases across the UK, especially amongst the young.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: "Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we've seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton.

"The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

"And through our contact tracing system we've identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly."

The new measures, which come into place immediately, include:

All hospitality for food and drink (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are now restricted to takeaway only
Late night restriction of operating hours, meaning all venues, including takeaways, will be required to close from 22:00 to 05:00
A ban on mixing outside households in public outdoor settings, which will be enforceable by law

As well as restricting hospitality venues, Mr Hancock said visitor limits will also be put in place in care homes in Bolton.

He said: "I want us to learn the lesson from Spain, America and France - not to have to learn the lesson all over again ourselves through more hospitalisations and more deaths, and take this action locally in Bolton."

The move comes after plans to ease restrictions in Bolton were scrapped last week following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Earlier, Mr Hancock told MPs that a "sharp rise" in coronavirus cases in recent days in the UK was "concerning" and the increase had been across the whole country rather than in localised "hotspots".

Other parts of the UK face are also facing tougher restrictions.

In Wales, the county borough of Caerphilly will be placed under a local lockdown from 18:00 BST on Tuesday, lasting until at least October.

Stricter rules on visiting other people's homes were also extended to two more areas in the west of Scotland from midnight.

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