Toughest Covid rules extended in south of England - BBC News

Millions of people in the east and south-east of England will face the toughest Covid-19 rules from Saturday, the health secretary has said.

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire will be subject to tier three rules, as will parts of Surrey, East Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire.

Swathes of the nation already in tier three will remain there.

Matt Hancock told MPs: "We've come so far, we mustn't blow it now."

Bristol and North Somerset will move from tier three to tier two, and Herefordshire will move from tier two into tier one.

The changes come into effect at 00:01 on Saturday.

• Which places are moving into tier three?
• UK coronavirus cases up by 25,161 on Wednesday
• Postcode check: Find out the rules where you live

It means that 68% of England's population - 38 million people - will be living in tier three from the weekend. Some 30% of the population will be in tier two, while just 2% will be in tier one.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was concerned the tier system was "just not strong enough to control the virus".

"We've been seeing the numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular," he added.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he was "not surprised but very disappointed" that the region was staying in tier three, having called for some parts to be downgraded.

Greater Manchester was first placed in tier three on 23 October and has had restrictions on groups meeting indoors since July.

He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Greater Manchester has lower infection rates than Liverpool and London had "when they were originally put into" tier two.

"It feels like if... London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions," he said.

Announcing the outcome of the first formal review of the new tiering system in England, Mr Hancock said "no-one wants tougher restrictions any longer than necessary".

However, he said "these are always the most difficult months for people's health" and we "must keep suppressing this virus".

Cases have risen by 46% in the past week in the south-east of England, he told MPs, and were up by two-thirds in the east of England.

Meanwhile, the government has announced the return to school in January will be staggered for secondary pupils in England, with some starting term online rather than in class.

It will allow schools to set up a Covid testing scheme - but exam-year pupils will start term as usual.

There will also be a staggered return for schools in Wales after the Christmas break.

Which areas are changing tiers?

The health secretary said from 00:01 Saturday 19 December:

• Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, Surrey (except Waverley), Hastings and Rother, Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant will move into tier three.
• Bristol and North Somerset will be moved down to tier two.
• Herefordshire will move from tier two to tier one.

With the majority of the country in the highest tier, many will be wondering how long it will be before the rules are relaxed.

Tier three now contains a variety of different patterns.

Large parts of the North have seen cases fall and now have lower than average infection rates, although there are signs those decreases have stalled.

Other areas, such as some of the home counties, have low rates that are rising.

But there are places - east London and the surrounding areas - that have high rates that are rising.

The fact that they are all in tier three is a sign of caution from ministers.

That, of course, is because of the Christmas relaxation - and fear it could lead to a spike in cases.

If that happens, tier three could become the norm for months - maybe accompanied by a third lockdown.

That would leave the government and public pinning everything on the vaccine programme.

Earlier this week, ministers said a good start had been made with more than 137,000 people vaccinated.

But there are more than 25 million in the priority groups - 12 million of them over the age of 65.

In theory, two million could be vaccinated every week, but that depends on multiple things going right.

The fear is this could become the status quo for many until the spring.

Around 34 million people have already been living under tier three rules.

London, most of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire were placed under the strictest curbs on social contacts on Wednesday.

They joined much of the Midlands, north-west England and north-east England.

The news Greater Manchester would remain in tier three provoked anger from some of the area's MPs, including Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers.

"The statement will be greeted with dismay in Greater Manchester where we have had severe restrictions for nine months, where in nine of the 10 boroughs rates are below the national average," he said.

And the West Midlands' Conservative mayor Andy Street called for more government funding to support businesses in tier three areas.

Leaders in areas moving from tier two to tier three also expressed their concerns.

Stephen McPartland, Conservative MP for Stevenage in Hertfordshire, tweeted that it was "ridiculous" the town is "being dragged into" tier three.

He said tiers "should be imposed on a district basis instead of this unbalanced county-wide approach".

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, said the decision to introduce the toughest measures there was "bizarre".

He said he was "slightly surprised" because he had been told that "the problem" was with the city's Queen Alexandra Hospital.

However, the hospital also serves nearby local authorities, such as Fareham and Winchester City, which were not being moved up.

"The government has made a number of bizarre decisions, so it's no surprise they have made another one," he said.

• SOCIAL DISTANCING: Can I give my friends a hug?
• FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one?
• TESTING: How do I get a virus test?
• SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them?

Elsewhere in the UK, BBC News understands that health officials in Northern Ireland have proposed a six-week lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

In Wales, non-essential shops will close from the end of trading on Christmas Eve, with an alert level four lockdown starting four days later.

And in Scotland, the deputy first minister warned that tougher restrictions - including a potential lockdown - after the festive period cannot be ruled out.

• GREG JAMES' CHRISTMAS TAKEOVER: 60 minutes of festive bangers chosen by you
• GROUNDED WITH LOUIS THEROUX: Rylan Clark-Neal reveals how one of Louis’s documentaries ignited his teenage sexuality

What are your plans for Christmas? How will you be affected by the rule changes? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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2020-12-17 16:08:00Z
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Toughest Covid rules extended in south of England - BBC News

Millions of people in the east and south-east of England will face the toughest Covid-19 rules from Saturday, the health secretary has said.

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire will be subject to tier three rules, as will parts of Surrey, East Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire.

Swathes of the nation already in tier three will remain there.

Matt Hancock told MPs: "We've come so far, we mustn't blow it now."

Bristol and North Somerset will move from tier three to tier two, and Herefordshire will move from tier two into tier one.

The changes come into effect at 00:01 on Saturday.

• Which places are moving into tier three?
• UK coronavirus cases up by 25,161 on Wednesday
• Postcode check: Find out the rules where you live

It means that 68% of England's population - 38 million people - will be living in tier three from the weekend. Some 30% of the population will be in tier two, while just 2% will be in tier one.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was concerned the tier system was "just not strong enough to control the virus".

"We've been seeing the numbers going in the wrong direction across the country in the last seven days in particular," he added.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he was "not surprised but very disappointed" that the region was staying in tier three, having called for some parts to be downgraded.

Greater Manchester was first placed in tier three on 23 October and has had restrictions on groups meeting indoors since July.

He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Greater Manchester has lower infection rates than Liverpool and London had "when they were originally put into" tier two.

"It feels like if... London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions," he said.

Announcing the outcome of the first formal review of the new tiering system in England, Mr Hancock said "no-one wants tougher restrictions any longer than necessary".

However, he said "these are always the most difficult months for people's health" and we "must keep suppressing this virus".

Cases have risen by 46% in the past week in the south-east of England, he told MPs, and were up by two-thirds in the east of England.

Meanwhile, the government has announced the return to school in January will be staggered for secondary pupils in England, with some starting term online rather than in class.

It will allow schools to set up a Covid testing scheme - but exam-year pupils will start term as usual.

Which areas are changing tiers?

The health secretary said from 00:01 Saturday 19 December:

• Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, Surrey (except Waverley), Hastings and Rother, Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant will move into tier three.
• Bristol and North Somerset will be moved down to tier two.
• Herefordshire will move from tier two to tier one.

With the majority of the country in the highest tier, many will be wondering how long it will be before the rules are relaxed.

Tier three now contains a variety of different patterns.

Large parts of the North have seen cases fall and now have lower than average infection rates, although there are signs those decreases have stalled.

Other areas, such as some of the home counties, have low rates that are rising.

But there are places - east London and the surrounding areas - that have high rates that are rising.

The fact that they are all in tier three is a sign of caution from ministers.

That, of course, is because of the Christmas relaxation - and fear it could lead to a spike in cases.

If that happens, tier three could become the norm for months - maybe accompanied by a third lockdown.

That would leave the government and public pinning everything on the vaccine programme.

Earlier this week, ministers said a good start had been made with more than 137,000 people vaccinated.

But there are more than 25 million in the priority groups - 12 million of them over the age of 65.

In theory, two million could be vaccinated every week, but that depends on multiple things going right.

The fear is this could become the status quo for many until the spring.

Around 34 million people have already been living under tier three rules.

London, most of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire were placed under the strictest curbs on social contacts on Wednesday.

They joined much of the Midlands, north-west England and north-east England.

Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish in Greater Manchester, said keeping the region in tier three was "yet another blow for our hospitality".

In a tweet, he said he worried that "we are trapped in this system arbitrarily".

And the West Midlands' Conservative mayor Andy Street called for more government funding to support businesses in tier three areas.

Leaders in areas moving from tier two to tier three also expressed their concerns.

Stephen McPartland, Conservative MP for Stevenage in Hertfordshire, tweeted that it was "ridiculous" the town is "being dragged into" tier three.

He said tiers "should be imposed on a district basis instead of this unbalanced county-wide approach".

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, said the decision to introduce the toughest measures there was "bizarre".

He said he was "slightly surprised" because he had been told that "the problem" was with the city's Queen Alexandra Hospital.

However, the hospital also serves nearby local authorities, such as Fareham and Winchester City, which were not being moved up.

"The government has made a number of bizarre decisions, so it's no surprise they have made another one," he said.

• SOCIAL DISTANCING: Can I give my friends a hug?
• FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one?
• TESTING: How do I get a virus test?
• SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them?

Elsewhere in the UK, BBC News understands that health officials in Northern Ireland have proposed a six-week lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

In Wales, non-essential shops will close from the end of trading on Christmas Eve, with an alert level four lockdown starting four days later.

And in Scotland, the deputy first minister warned that tougher restrictions - including a potential lockdown - after the festive period cannot be ruled out.

• GREG JAMES' CHRISTMAS TAKEOVER: 60 minutes of festive bangers chosen by you
• GROUNDED WITH LOUIS THEROUX: Rylan Clark-Neal reveals how one of Louis’s documentaries ignited his teenage sexuality

What are your plans for Christmas? How will you be affected by the rule changes? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

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2020-12-17 14:50:00Z
52781247698161

COVID-19: Secondary schools in England told to stagger pupils' return in January - Sky News

The reopening of secondary schools and colleges in England after Christmas will not be delayed - but will be staggered, the government has said.

Those studying for exams are expected to return as normal in January, but most pupils will start the year online, to allow mass testing to be rolled out at the start of term.

Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January, alongside vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.

Image: Some pupils will begin the term online

Two rapid tests will be offered to those students attending classes, at three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.

Those with a positive test will be required to self-isolate in line with existing regulations.

Advertisement

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the wider community.

"Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.

More from Covid-19

"The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing. Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams, it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all, while keeping schools as safe as possible."

Talking about the plans, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: "I think schools are going to be really frustrated this has come at the last moment.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Coronavirus: Should schools remain open?

"What we needed for schools was a plan that started last September and what we have had is one problem after another all through to the Christmas period."

Teaching unions also reacted to the news, and Dr Mary Bousted of the National Education Union (NEU) said the announcement "demonstrates ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action in response to the exponential rise in COVID-19 infection rates amongst secondary school pupils".

She added: "We are writing to Gavin Williamson today with a series of urgent questions about today's announcement."

It comes after Susan Acland-Hood, permanent secretary at the Department for Education (DfE), earlier told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the DfE did not have "any plans to lengthen the Christmas holiday".

Chairwoman of the PAC, Meg Hillier, said it was "ludicrous" that in the final days of term, many parents and headteachers did not know what would be happening when schools return in a few weeks.

A small study released earlier suggested that more than half of English schools surveyed had at least one COVID-19 infection in the last month, with only 1.24% of pupils testing positive and 1.29% of staff.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, a Public Health England consultant epidemiologist who led the survey of 105 schools, said that the early findings from the small study suggests the proportion of positive tests among staff and students mirrors the general population.

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2020-12-17 14:29:17Z
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COVID-19: Secondary schools in England told to stagger pupils' return in January - Sky News

The reopening of secondary schools and colleges in England after Christmas will not be delayed - but will be staggered, the government has said.

Those studying for exams are expected to return as normal in January, but most pupils will start the year online, to allow mass testing to be rolled out at the start of term.

Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January, alongside vulnerable pupils and key workers' children.

Image: Some pupils will begin the term online

Two rapid tests will offered to those students attending classes, at three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.

Those with a positive test will be required to self-isolate in line with existing regulations.

Advertisement

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the wider community.

"Building on the fantastic actions that schools and colleges have already taken to be as safe as possible, this additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.

More from Covid-19

"The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing. Over the rest of the academic year and in the run up to exams, it will remain a national priority to keep education open for all, while keeping schools as safe as possible."

Talking about the plans, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: "I think schools are going to be really frustrated this has come at the last moment.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Coronavirus: Should schools remain open?

"What we needed for schools was a plan that started last September and what we have had is one problem after another all through to the Christmas period."

Teaching unions also reacted to the news, and Dr Mary Bousted of the National Education Union (NEU) said the announcement "demonstrates ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action in response to the exponential rise in COVID-19 infection rates amongst secondary school pupils".

She added: "We are writing to Gavin Williamson today with a series of urgent questions about today's announcement."

It comes after Susan Acland-Hood, permanent secretary at the Department for Education (DfE), earlier told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the DfE did not have "any plans to lengthen the Christmas holiday".

Chairwoman of the PAC, Meg Hillier, said it was "ludicrous" that in the final days of term, many parents and headteachers did not know what would be happening when schools return in a few weeks.

A small study released earlier suggested that more than half of English schools surveyed had at least one COVID-19 infection in the last month, with only 1.24% of pupils testing positive and 1.29% of staff.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, a Public Health England consultant epidemiologist who led the survey said that the early findings from the small study suggests the proportion of positive tests among staff and students mirrors the general population.

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2020-12-17 14:26:15Z
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