Sabtu, 21 November 2020

Covid-19: Strengthened tier system for England after lockdown - BBC News

People wear masks next to a social distancing sign in London's Oxford Circus
PA Media

A tougher three-tiered system of local restrictions will come into force in England when the lockdown ends on 2 December, Downing Street has said.

Boris Johnson is expected to set out his plan - including details of how families can see different households at Christmas - to MPs on Monday.

More areas are set to be placed into the higher tiers to keep the virus under control, No 10 said.

And some tiers will be strengthened to safeguard lockdown progress.

It is not yet clear exactly how restrictions could change - but it is understood the 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants will be altered.

Mr Johnson is expected to say that, while last orders must be called at 10pm, people will get an extra hour to finish their food and drinks.

Full details of the so-called "Covid winter plan" are expected on Monday, after cabinet discussions on Sunday.

Some local measures will be the same as those in the previous three tier system, used in England to tackle the spread of coronavirus up until the current lockdown began.

But the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is expected to publish papers on Monday saying that measures in the previous tiers were not strong enough.

The prime minister will acknowledge that the measures are difficult, while making clear they are not to last longer than is absolutely necessary, and that the need to support the economy is being taken into account.

2px presentational grey line

English tier system - at a glance

Pre-lockdown, there were three tiers of restrictions - medium, high, and very high:

  • Medium / Tier 1: Rule of six if meeting indoors or outdoors; pubs and restaurants shut at 10pm
  • High / Tier 2: No household mixing indoors; rule of six applies outdoors; pubs and restaurants shut at 10pm
  • Very high / Tier 3: No household mixing indoors or in some outdoor spaces; pubs and bars not serving meals are closed
2px presentational grey line

It comes after newspaper reports suggested families could be allowed to meet for up to a week over Christmas as part of a UK-wide relaxation of coronavirus rules.

According to the Daily Telegraph, several families could be allowed to join in one "bubble" and mix between 22 and 28 December.

The plan will include guidance on how people will be able to celebrate Christmas, but ministers have made clear the festive season will be different to normal - with some restrictions expected to remain in place.

The government will set out what tier each area will be placed into on Thursday and MPs are expected to be given a vote to approve the new tier system in the days before it comes into force.

Earlier this month, Mr Johnson promised MPs would have a say on any restrictions imposed after the current lockdown ended.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: "Everyone's efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS.

"But the prime minister and his scientific advisers are clear the virus is still present - and without regional restrictions it could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have had an effect.

"That would put in jeopardy the progress the country has made, and once again risk intolerable pressure on the NHS."

Cases / deaths graphic

The PM will be wary of a rebellion from backbench Tory MPs opposed to new restrictions.

During a vote on the current lockdown earlier this month, 32 Conservatives rebelled to oppose the measures and 17 more, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, abstained.

A "Covid recovery group" led by former chief whip Mark Harper and ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker has since formed to resist new measures, with suggestions 50 Tories have enlisted.

It is hoped restrictions can be gradually reduced in the run-up to spring, providing vaccines are approved by regulators, allowing then to start being rolled out next month.

Downing Street will hope this - combined with an easing of restrictions over Christmas, will lessen the scale of the rebellion.

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Labour has so far been supportive of the need for restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19, making a full-scale Commons defeat on the plan unlikely.

But the opposition party has been urging the government to lay out its plan for what will happen when the national restrictions end.

Labour's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds, in a speech on Saturday, said the nation could not be allowed to return "to the shambles we had before this lockdown".

She called for clarity about what economic support package would accompany different types of restrictions.

Under England's previous three-tiered system, regions were classified as either tier one - "medium", tier two - "high" or tier three - "very high", and each one had different lockdown rules.

There are also different rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On Saturday, the United Kingdom recorded another 19,875 new coronavirus cases and 341 deaths of people who had tested positive for the virus within 28 days, the latest figures showed.

The number of deaths was down from 511 on Friday, and 462 on Saturday 14 November.

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2020-11-21 23:59:00Z
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BREAKING: PM expected to announce post COVID-19 lockdown plan - Sky News

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2020-11-21 22:34:44Z
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Covid-19: Strengthened tier system for England after lockdown - BBC News

People wear masks next to a social distancing sign in London's Oxford Circus
PA Media

A tougher three-tiered system of local restrictions will come into force in England when the lockdown ends on 2 December, Downing Street has said.

Boris Johnson is expected to set out his plan - including details of how families can see different households at Christmas - to MPs on Monday.

More areas are set to be placed into the higher tiers to keep the virus under control, No 10 said.

And some tiers will be strengthened to safeguard lockdown progress.

It is not yet clear exactly how restrictions could change. Full details of the so-called "Covid winter plan" are expected on Monday, after cabinet discussions on Sunday.

Some local measures will be the same as those in the previous three tier system, used in England to tackle the spread of coronavirus up until the current lockdown began.

But the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is expected to publish papers on Monday saying that measures in the previous tiers were not strong enough.

The prime minister will acknowledge that the measures are difficult, while making clear they are not to last longer than is absolutely necessary, and that the need to support the economy is being taken into account.

2px presentational grey line

English tier system - at a glance

Pre-lockdown, there were three tiers of restrictions - medium, high, and very high:

  • Medium / Tier 1: Rule of six if meeting indoors or outdoors; pubs and restaurants shut at 10pm
  • High / Tier 2: No household mixing indoors; rule of six applies outdoors; pubs and restaurants shut at 10pm
  • Very high / Tier 3: No household mixing indoors or in some outdoor spaces; pubs and bars not serving meals are closed
2px presentational grey line

It comes after newspaper reports suggested families could be allowed to meet for up to a week over Christmas as part of a UK-wide relaxation of coronavirus rules.

According to the Daily Telegraph, several families could be allowed to join in one "bubble" and mix between 22 and 28 December.

The plan will include guidance on how people will be able to celebrate Christmas, but ministers have made clear the festive season will be different to normal - with some restrictions expected to remain in place.

The government will set out what tier each area will be placed into on Thursday and MPs are expected to be given a vote to approve the new tier system in the days before it comes into force.

Earlier this month, Mr Johnson promised MPs would have a say on any restrictions imposed after the current lockdown ended.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: "Everyone's efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS.

"But the prime minister and his scientific advisers are clear the virus is still present - and without regional restrictions it could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have had an effect.

"That would put in jeopardy the progress the country has made, and once again risk intolerable pressure on the NHS."

Cases / deaths graphic

The PM will be wary of a rebellion from backbench Tory MPs opposed to new restrictions.

During a vote on the current lockdown earlier this month, 32 Conservatives rebelled to oppose the measures and 17 more, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, abstained.

A "Covid recovery group" led by former chief whip Mark Harper and ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker has since formed to resist new measures, with suggestions 50 Tories have enlisted.

It is hoped restrictions can be gradually reduced in the run-up to spring, providing vaccines are approved by regulators, allowing then to start being rolled out next month.

Downing Street will hope this - combined with an easing of restrictions over Christmas, will lessen the scale of the rebellion.

Banner image reading 'more about coronavirus'
Banner

Labour has so far been supportive of the need for restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19, making a full-scale Commons defeat on the plan unlikely.

But the opposition party has been urging the government to lay out its plan for what will happen when the national restrictions end.

Labour's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds, in a speech on Saturday, said the nation could not be allowed to return "to the shambles we had before this lockdown".

She called for clarity about what economic support package would accompany different types of restrictions.

Under England's previous three-tiered system, regions were classified as either tier one - "medium", tier two - "high" or tier three - "very high", and each one had different lockdown rules.

There are also different rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On Saturday, the United Kingdom recorded another 19,875 new coronavirus cases and 341 deaths of people who had tested positive for the virus within 28 days, the latest figures showed.

The number of deaths was down from 511 on Friday, and 462 on Saturday 14 November.

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2020-11-21 22:29:00Z
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Boris to kill off the 10pm curfew and lockdown WILL end on December 2 with new three-tier system - Daily Mail

Boris to kill off the 10pm curfew: Lockdown WILL end on December 2, drinkers will be given another hour to prevent kicking-out crowds, ALL shops will open and a new three-tier system with some stricter rules will be introduced

  • The Prime Minister intends to extend opening hours until 11pm after lockdown
  • Patrons will be asked to finish their drinks and meals after last orders at 10pm 
  • Lockdown will end on December 2 with a revised three-tier system in place
  • More areas are expected to be in higher tiers and 'wet pubs' could stay closed 
  • Boris Johnson will announce the new measures in a TV speech on Monday 
Boris Johnson intends to return pub closing times to 11pm when lockdown ends

Boris Johnson intends to return pub closing times to 11pm when lockdown ends

Boris Johnson is to give Britain a pre-Christmas boost by scrapping the 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants.

The Mail on Sunday understands that the Prime Minister intends to extend opening hours until 11pm when the second national lockdown ends on December 2. While last orders will still be called at 10pm, people will get an extra hour to finish drinks and meals.

As well as helping the hospitality sector, the plan – expected to be accepted in a crunch Cabinet meeting this evening – will help prevent crowds congregating on the streets at kicking-out time.

The 10pm curfew was widely criticised after its introduction in September and No 10 is determined to show it can both listen to its backbenchers and learn lessons when measures are unsuccessful. The proposal has widespread support. One Minister said: '10pm last orders and being allowed to stay longer sounds eminently sensible.'

Mr Johnson will on Monday tell the House of Commons and the nation in a televised address that lockdown will end, as promised, on December 2.

He will also set out details of a new winter plan to tackle Covid, including a revised three-tier structure for restrictions. The new framework will run until the spring in a move designed to give businesses and the public more confidence and clarity while work continues on approving vaccines and a mass immunisation project.

There is growing confidence that positive results from a trial of a vaccine being developed by Oxford University and the pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca are 'imminent'. Vaccines produced by Pfizer and the US firm Moderna have already been shown to be almost 95 per cent effective.

One Government insider said: 'There is a possibility that one day soon we will wake up and Brexit will be done and we'll have the Oxford vaccine.'

However, the revised tier system unveiled by Mr Johnson is expected to see more areas enter the highest third level. The final decision for which areas go into which tiers will be taken on Thursday.

While almost all shops will be allowed to reopen, bookmakers and so-called 'wet pubs' that do not serve food may be required to remain closed in places with the highest infection rates. There may also be harsher controls on households mixing indoors. 'The new Tier 3 will look a lot tighter than the old version,' a Government source admitted.

The 10pm curfew was widely criticised after its introduction in September as crowds congregated outside pubs

The 10pm curfew was widely criticised after its introduction in September as crowds congregated outside pubs

In Soho, revellers were often seen gathering in huge crowds after pubs closed, with many hugging and chanting in close proximity

In Soho, revellers were often seen gathering in huge crowds after pubs closed, with many hugging and chanting in close proximity

However, restrictions on playing sport are set to be relaxed, while Ministers are having detailed discussions about allowing crowds in open-air stadiums – but the main sticking point is how to get fans to and from the events without risking infection on public transport.

Seeking to bolster confidence, Mr Johnson said in a speech yesterday: 'My first message is 'thank you' for what you have done over the last very difficult eight months, my second is that there is hope on the horizon.'

The developments came as: 

  • There was renewed hope that the second Covid-19 wave had passed its peak as 341 new deaths were recorded – 121 fewer than last Saturday, and only five of whom did not have underlying health conditions – and the number of daily infections fell by more than a quarter to 19,875;
  • US pharmaceutical firm Novavax raised hopes that a vaccine that it is developing could stop people infecting each other following successful trials in monkeys;
  • At least 22 people were arrested as anti-lockdown protesters clashed with police at rallies in Bournemouth, London and Liverpool;
  • Mr Johnson enjoyed a boost in the opinion polls, with the Tories on 41 per cent and Labour down to 38 per cent, according to Optimum; lIt was reported that Chancellor Rishi Sunak will this week unveil a £3 billion plan to tackle the backlog of surgeries cancelled as a result of the pandemic as part of a Spending Review that will also aim to boost mental health support and revitalise the high street;
  • Church leaders appealed to the Government to re-open places of worship for Christmas services.

Ministers were yesterday continuing talks on whether and how restrictions might be lifted for Christmas. It is understood that a four-nation 'truce' will see all families across the UK allowed the same number of days to celebrate with their loved ones.

The Government is also in discussions about how it might allow some pantomimes to go ahead, although a wider opening of theatres is unlikely before next year.

Scientists last week warned that up to five days of tough lockdown could be needed to compensate for each day with fewer restrictions over Christmas. 

No 10 is determined to show it can both listen to its backbenchers and learn lessons when measures are unsuccessful

No 10 is determined to show it can both listen to its backbenchers and learn lessons when measures are unsuccessful

But Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak have emphasised the need to return to a 'functioning economy'. A source said: 'We've got to get normality back.'

Ministers are seeking to identify 'morale boosting' measures such as allowing people to watch live sport again or reopening cinemas.

'That is an important element to consider,' a Government source said. '[Paving a way to] allowing people to see the latest Bond film in the cinema would send a big signal that normality has returned.' The renewed optimism is linked to the 'transformative' effect that the rollout of a vaccine or vaccines will have.

One source said Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, has had a 'spring in his step'.

A source said Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, has had a 'spring in his step' this week

A source said Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, has had a 'spring in his step' this week

Ministers are now working on plans to keep some form of restrictions in place until late March when, according to experts, the bulk of vaccines could have been delivered. The restrictions will be subject to review if the data improves or worsens.

Ministers will pore over the latest data before finalising the new tier arrangements later this week. 

The measures will then be voted on in Parliament. While some Tory MPs have raised concerns that gyms and the beauty industry will be an 'afterthought', the Treasury is understood to be pushing for them to be allowed to reopen on December 2.

A source said: 'Businesses such as gyms, beauty salons are dying to open and have made themselves Covid safe.

'People want to get their nails done before Christmas – it's a huge season for these businesses.'

Pubs have been boarded up throughout November and the Prime Minister hopes to give them a Christmas boost

Pubs have been boarded up throughout November and the Prime Minister hopes to give them a Christmas boost

However, 70 Conservative MPs have written to the Prime Minister saying they will not vote for the reintroduction of the tier system unless the Government sets out the reasoning behind every ongoing restriction.

The letter, organised by Steve Baker and former chief whip Mark Harper, warns that Ministers 'must publish a full cost-benefit analysis of the proposed restrictions on a regional basis'.

A No 10 spokesman said: 'Everyone's efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS.

'But the Prime Minister and his scientific advisers are clear the virus is still present – and without regional restrictions it could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have had an effect.'

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2020-11-21 22:14:00Z
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COVID-19: Arrests at anti-lockdown protests across England as police officers injured in attacks - Sky News

Dozens of people have been arrested as protesters staged anti-lockdown demonstrations across England, with some police officers injured after being assaulted.

Police criticised "extremely selfish" demonstrators who flouted COVID-19 laws after protests were held in Liverpool, London, Bournemouth and Basildon in Essex.

In Liverpool, 13 people were arrested as protesters moved around the city centre on Saturday afternoon, including a 36-year-old man who was detained on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker after an officer was pushed to the chest.

Officers also issued 25 fixed penalty notices for breaches of coronavirus legislation.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protester gestures to police officers during the march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester gestures to police officers in Bournemouth

Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent Ngaire Waine criticised the demonstrators, saying: "The vast majority of people in Merseyside have made huge sacrifices since March, missing weddings, funerals and family celebrations in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.

"So it will be incredibly frustrating for all those people to see that a minority of selfish individuals chose to flout laws brought in to protect the lives of people across Merseyside, putting our communities and themselves at risk."

Chief Supt Waine said the sight of the protesters in the city centre "will alarm many who are now well aware of the risk large groups can pose to the spreading of this virus".

More from Covid-19

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: An anti-lockdown protester is seen in a Guy Fawkes mask as the march heads through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester is seen in a Guy Fawkes mask in Bournemouth

Officers introduced a dispersal zone in Liverpool city centre and will examine CCTV and bodycam footage to "identify offenders and bring them to justice", she added.

The protests came on the day that a further 341 coronavirus deaths were announced in the UK, bringing the country's total to 54,626.

Essex Police said 12 people have been arrested after protesters gathered in Basildon, with some officers reporting they were assaulted - although no one was seriously hurt.

Seven fines were issued and a dispersal order remains in place for the town centre until 12.30am on Sunday, according to the force.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: Protesters gathered in Bournemouth (pictured) as well as Liverpool, London and Basildon

Superintendent Bonnie Moore said: "This was a clear and blatant breach of the government's COVID-19 regulations and those who took part have risked their health and those of their loved ones through the spread of the virus."

She added: "A number of our officers involved today also reported being injured but, thankfully, their injuries are relatively minor.

"Having to deal with clear and blatant breaches of the regulations means having to take our officers away from dealing with other incidents and affects our ability to respond to other forms of crime."

Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan criticised the "idiotic protesters taking to our streets and causing trouble", saying "police officers and their families have been put in totally avoidable danger".

"I hope the 'protesters' have the book thrown at them," he added.

In London, the Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested for allegedly breaching COVID-19 regulations after protesters gathered at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester in Bournemouth

Superintendent Michael Walsh said: "We take reports of breaches of COVID-19 restrictions seriously. We are still in a pandemic and it is extremely selfish of a small minority of people to carry on without regard for the regulations."

Meanwhile, two people were arrested in Bournemouth after around 100 demonstrators gathered in the seaside town.

Some of the protesters held signs saying "the pandemic is over" and criticising the lockdown.

Dorset Police said officers made "repeated attempts to engage with the organisers and discourage them from holding the event".

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: Two people were arrested after protesters gathered in Bournemouth

Two men were arrested on suspicion of breaching coronavirus regulations, according to the force.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: "We must ensure that the law applies equally to everyone.

"We owe it to the vast majority of our communities who are complying with the regulations and doing their bit to limit the infection rate to take action against those who are reported to be ignoring the restrictions and encouraging others to do so."

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2020-11-21 19:41:32Z
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Brexit: UK and Canada agree deal to keep trading under EU terms - BBC News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France in 2019
PA Media

The UK and Canada have agreed a deal to continue trading under the same terms as the current EU agreement after the Brexit transition period ends.

The government said it paved the way for negotiations to begin next year on a new comprehensive deal with Canada.

The PM and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made the "agreement in principle" in a video call, the Department for International Trade said.

The agreement does not give any new benefits to businesses.

But it rolls over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement reached by the EU and Canada after seven years of negotiations.

  • How many trade deals has the UK done so far?

Boris Johnson said the extension was "a fantastic agreement for Britain", adding: "Our negotiators have been working flat out to secure trade deals for the UK and from as early next year we have agreed to start work on a new, bespoke trade deal with Canada that will go even further in meeting the needs of our economy."

Welcoming the continuity deal, Mr Trudeau suggested a new comprehensive trade agreement with the UK would take several years to negotiate.

Speaking during the video call, which also included International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and her counterpart Mary Ng, Mr Trudeau said: "Now we get to continue to work on a bespoke agreement, a comprehensive agreement over the coming years that will really maximise our trade opportunities and boost things for everyone."

Labour's shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry welcomed the "necessary" deal.

"It is now vital that Boris Johnson and Liz Truss show the same urgency in securing the other 14 outstanding continuity agreements with countries like Mexico, Ghana and Singapore, where a total of £60bn of UK trade is still at risk and time is beginning to run out," she added.

Before it is formally signed, the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement will be subject to final legal checks.

The UK has now left the EU, but its trading relationship remains the same until the end of the year. That's because it's in an 11-month transition - designed to give both sides some time to negotiate a new trade deal.

No new trade deals can start until the transition period ends on 31 December.

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2020-11-21 18:34:00Z
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COVID-19: Arrests at anti-lockdown protests across England as police officers injured in attacks - Sky News

Dozens of people have been arrested as protesters staged anti-lockdown demonstrations across England, with some police officers injured after being assaulted.

Police criticised "extremely selfish" demonstrators who flouted COVID-19 laws after protests were held in Liverpool, London, Bournemouth and Basildon in Essex.

In Liverpool, 15 people were arrested for suspected public order offences and breaches of coronavirus regulations as protesters moved around the city centre on Saturday afternoon.

Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent Ngaire Waine criticised the demonstrators, saying: "The vast majority of people in Merseyside have made huge sacrifices since March, missing weddings, funerals and family celebrations in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protester gestures to police officers during the march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester gestures to police officers in Bournemouth

"So it will be incredibly frustrating for all those people to see that a minority of selfish individuals chose to flout laws brought in to protect the lives of people across Merseyside, putting our communities and themselves at risk."

Chief Supt Waine said the sight of the protesters in the city centre "will alarm many who are now well aware of the risk large groups can pose to the spreading of this virus".

Officers introduced a dispersal zone in Liverpool city centre and will examine CCTV and bodycam footage to "identify offenders and bring them to justice", she added.

More from Covid-19

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: An anti-lockdown protester is seen in a Guy Fawkes mask as the march heads through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester is seen in a Guy Fawkes mask in Bournemouth

The protests came on the day that a further 341 coronavirus deaths were announced in the UK, bringing the country's total to 54,626.

Essex Police said 12 people have been arrested after protesters gathered in Basildon, with some officers reporting they were assaulted - although no one was seriously hurt.

Seven fines were issued and a dispersal order remains in place for the town centre until 12.30am on Sunday, according to the force.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: Protesters gathered in Bournemouth (pictured) as well as Liverpool, London and Basildon

Superintendent Bonnie Moore said: "This was a clear and blatant breach of the government's COVID-19 regulations and those who took part have risked their health and those of their loved ones through the spread of the virus."

She added: "A number of our officers involved today also reported being injured but, thankfully, their injuries are relatively minor.

"Having to deal with clear and blatant breaches of the regulations means having to take our officers away from dealing with other incidents and affects our ability to respond to other forms of crime."

Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan criticised the "idiotic protesters taking to our streets and causing trouble", saying "police officers and their families have been put in totally avoidable danger".

"I hope the 'protesters' have the book thrown at them," he added.

In London, the Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested for allegedly breaching COVID-19 regulations after protesters gathered at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: An anti-lockdown protester in Bournemouth

Superintendent Michael Walsh said: "We take reports of breaches of COVID-19 restrictions seriously. We are still in a pandemic and it is extremely selfish of a small minority of people to carry on without regard for the regulations."

Meanwhile, two people were arrested in Bournemouth after around 100 demonstrators gathered in the seaside town.

Some of the protesters held signs saying "the pandemic is over" and criticising the lockdown.

Dorset Police said officers made "repeated attempts to engage with the organisers and discourage them from holding the event".

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Anti-lockdown protesters march through the town centre on November 21, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Image: Two people were arrested after protesters gathered in Bournemouth

Two men were arrested on suspicion of breaching coronavirus regulations, according to the force.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: "We must ensure that the law applies equally to everyone.

"We owe it to the vast majority of our communities who are complying with the regulations and doing their bit to limit the infection rate to take action against those who are reported to be ignoring the restrictions and encouraging others to do so."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS1hcnJlc3RzLWF0LWFudGktbG9ja2Rvd24tcHJvdGVzdHMtYWNyb3NzLWVuZ2xhbmQtYXMtcG9saWNlLW9mZmljZXJzLWluanVyZWQtaW4tYXR0YWNrcy0xMjEzODUwNdIBhwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvY292aWQtMTktYXJyZXN0cy1hdC1hbnRpLWxvY2tkb3duLXByb3Rlc3RzLWFjcm9zcy1lbmdsYW5kLWFzLXBvbGljZS1vZmZpY2Vycy1pbmp1cmVkLWluLWF0dGFja3MtMTIxMzg1MDU?oc=5

2020-11-21 19:41:05Z
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