Minggu, 20 Desember 2020

Covid-19: Millions in England and Wales go into toughest restrictions - BBC News

Shoppers in Soho, London.
EPA

A stringent new Covid lockdown has come into force in London, parts of east and south-east England, and Wales.

Some 21 million people who entered new restrictions at midnight are being told to stay at home, while non-essential shops and businesses have to close.

A new tier four has been introduced in south-east England, after a new variant of coronavirus caused cases to soar.

The planned relaxation of rules for Christmas has been scrapped for those in England's new tier of restrictions.

In the rest of England, Scotland and Wales relaxed indoor mixing rules are cut from five days to Christmas Day only.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said tough rules were needed after scientists said the new virus variant was spreading more rapidly.

  • Wales locks down as Christmas plans cut
  • What is tier four and who is in it?
  • Should you see your family at Christmas?
  • 'I won't have next summer let alone next Christmas'

The tier four restrictions - similar to England's second national lockdown - applies to all areas in the South East which were in tier three, covering Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings.

It also applies in London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London) and the East of England (Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire and Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring).

Presentational grey line

Tier four restrictions:

  • Residents told to stay at home, with exemptions for those who have to travel for work or education
  • Household mixing indoors is not allowed
  • All non-essential retail to close, including hairdressers, nail bars, indoor gyms and leisure facilities
  • Social mixing cut to meeting one person in an open public space
  • Communal religious worship is still allowed
Presentational grey line

People elsewhere will be advised not to travel into a tier four area.

The changes for England, announced at a Downing Street briefing on Saturday, will last for two weeks with the first review due on 30 December.

In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford brought forward a lockdown, saying hundreds of people had already contracted the new, "more aggressive" strain of the virus there.

In Scotland, Covid restrictions will only be relaxed on Christmas Day, with mainland Scotland being placed under the tightest restrictions from Boxing Day.

A ban on travel to the rest of the UK will also apply over the festive period.

In Northern Ireland, no changes have been made to Christmas restrictions, with three households allowed to meet from 23 to 27 December. The country is set to enter a six-week lockdown from 26 December.

The Dutch government announced it was banning passenger flights between the Netherlands and the UK from 05:00 GMT Sunday, until 1 January at the latest, because of the new variant.

Chart showing cases rising across England
Presentational white space

The PM's announcement came just days after he defended plans to relax restrictions for five days during the festive period - despite calls by some in the medical profession to scrap the change.

Mr Johnson told the Downing Street briefing on Saturday that he knew how "disappointing" the news would be, but said he believed there was no alternative.

Scientists have warned that a new variant of the coronavirus variant is more infectious and spreading more rapidly leading Mr Johnson to say the government had to "change our method of defence".

The prime minister said analysis suggested the new variant could increase the R number - which indicates if an epidemic is growing or shrinking - by 0.4 or more.

Presentational grey line

There is still some reason for hope

Analysis box by Nick Triggle, health correspondent

The steep increase in the proportion of coronavirus cases linked to this new variant is strong evidence that it is driving transmission.

In London, 28% of cases were as a result of this new mutation in mid-November, but that has now increased to more than 60%.

It may explain why, during the second lockdown, cases started to increase in London, while in Kent the tier three measures appear to have had little impact in recent weeks.

As England's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty says, this is a bad moment, but there is also some hope.

Mutations happen all the time - there have been thousands of variations to this coronavirus since it emerged - and there is nothing to suggest this causes more serious illness or will hamper the effectiveness of the vaccine.

The prime minister announced 350,000 people had been given the first dose of the vaccine in the first two weeks of the programme.

In the coming weeks, the number of GP-led vaccination clinics should increase six-fold, while approval of a second vaccine made by Oxford University could pave the way for mass vaccination centres to be set up in sports stadiums and conference centres.

That could see two million people a week being vaccinated. Within a matter of months all the over-65s could have been offered a jab. This could then start to feel very different.

But for now, the slog of the pandemic continues - and for many it just got harder.

Presentational grey line

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who raised the prospect of tougher restrictions in the Commons on Wednesday, said he was "really frustrated".

"Millions of families will be heartbroken by having Christmas plans ripped up," Sir Keir said.

Mr Johnson is also facing criticism from within Conservative Party ranks.

Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs - which has been highly critical of the government's strategy - called for Parliament to be recalled so MPs could debate and vote on the changes.

Banner image reading 'more about coronavirus'
Banner

British Chambers of Commerce director general Adam Marshall asked what support would be available for companies whose cash flow projections "have once again been thrown into chaos".

In other developments:

  • Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that clergy and others who are shielding should not feel compelled to attend public worship, even though it is allowed
  • Some 78% of those surveyed in a Savanta ComRes poll after the PM's announcement said they would change their Christmas plans, with 11% saying they will disobey the tighter restrictions
  • The government has been asked by a Commons committee to publish a list of the companies that signed up to the furlough scheme amid concerns money is being lost through fraud and error.
Around the BBC iPlayer banner
Around the BBC iPlayer footer
Banner saying 'Get in touch'

How will these latest restrictions affect your plans for Christmas? Email 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:

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?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiJmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLTU1MzgyODYx0gEqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLTU1MzgyODYx?oc=5

2020-12-20 07:03:00Z
52781247698161

Sabtu, 19 Desember 2020

Covid: WHO in 'close contact' with UK over new variant - BBC News

A woman receives a Pfizer/BioNtech jab in England
Reuters

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is in "close contact" with UK officials over the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19.

The new variant is spreading more rapidly than the original version, but is not believed to be more deadly.

Large parts of south-east England, including London, are now under a new, stricter level of restrictions in a bid to curb the rapidly spreading virus.

The Netherlands said it was banning UK flights because of the new variant.

The ban comes into force on Sunday and will remain in place until 1 January at the latest, the Dutch government said.

The move comes after sampling of a case in the Netherlands earlier this month revealed the same strain of coronavirus as that found in the UK.

  • New Covid strain: How worried should we be?
  • Tracking the global pandemic: Where has been hit hardest?
  • What is tier four and who is in it?

Pending "greater clarity" on the situation in the UK, it said "the risk of the new virus strain being introduced to the Netherlands should be minimised as much as possible".

The Dutch government also said it would work with other European Union member states in the coming days to "explore the scope for further limiting the risk of the new strain of the virus being brought over from the UK".

What do we know about the new variant?

The WHO tweeted that it was in contact with UK officials over the new variant.

It said the UK was sharing information from ongoing studies into the mutation, and that the WHO would update member states and the public "as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant [and] any implications".

Although there is "considerable uncertainty", British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new variant may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old one.

But officials say there is no current evidence to suggest the new variant causes a higher mortality rate or that is affected any differently by vaccines and treatments.

"I think this is a situation which is going to make things a lot worse, but there are some really optimistic things if you look once we get the vaccine out, assuming the vaccine works against this, which at the moment is the working assumption," said England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty.

What else is happening in Europe?

Italy has ordered a nationwide lockdown over much of the Christmas and New Year period. The country will be under "red-zone" restrictions over the public holidays, with non-essential shops, restaurants and bars closed, and Italians only allowed to travel for limited reasons.

The Netherlands and Germany have imposed lockdowns until January. In Germany, Christmas will see a slight easing, with one household allowed to host up to four close family members.

Austria is set to enter its third lockdown after Christmas. From 26 December, non-essential shops will be shut and movement outside homes restricted.

Sweden has recommended wearing face masks on public transport during the rush hour, reversing its earlier guidance.

France's President Emmanuel Macron is in a "stable" condition after testing positive for coronavirus, his office said on Saturday. He is still experiencing symptoms, such as coughing and fatigue, but they are not preventing him from working, it said.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matovic, who attended an EU summit with Mr Macron last week, said he had tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Several other European leaders who were also at the summit said they would self-isolate.

2px presentational grey line

You might be interested in:

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLTU1MzgyMjEy0gEtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3dvcmxkLTU1MzgyMjEy?oc=5

2020-12-20 05:34:00Z
52781247698161

COVID-19: Londoners flock to trains and cars in effort to flee the city ahead of new rules - Sky News

Trains were packed and roads were jammed as Londoners tried to flee the city ahead of tougher coronavirus restrictions.

Fears over a new strain of coronavirus prompted the prime minister to announce on Saturday that all of those areas previously in Tier 3 in the South East - including London - would move to the new Tier 4 on Sunday.

This would mean the closure of non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers, with people ordered to stay home apart from limited exceptions.

It would also mean no mixing of households over Christmas, which saw many people make the last-minute dash to slightly lighter rules in other parts of England.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

New variant leads to tighter restrictions

The rules were announced by the prime minister on Saturday at a 4pm news conference ahead of them coming into force at midnight.

By 7pm, there were no seats available online on trains from several London stations including Paddington, Kings Cross and Euston.

Harriet Clugston was among those on a train from St Pancras to Leeds, a service she described as "crammed".

More from Covid-19

She wrote on Twitter: "Announcement on tannoy says social distancing 'will not be possible' due to volume and to get off if you are not comfortable with that.

"People have tried to secure social distance by placing (suitcases) on seats but being asked to remove them by other passengers as the train is so full."

She added: "Every person on this train including myself has made what is probably a very silly and irresponsible decision to travel albeit within the law. But that's what people were always going to do to be together at Christmas.

"My mother lives alone and there's no way I could not be with her at Christmas."

A woman who did not wish to be named said she and her partner had made a "split decision" to take their young son to her parents' home on the coast.

"We just made the decision to leave based on the fact that my parents said come, and we couldn't bear the thought of no fresh air and a toddler going rogue round a small flat for the foreseeable," she said.

"We also really just felt we wanted to get the baby somewhere a bit safer with a garden, though we know a lot of people won't have that luxury.

People wait on the concourse at Paddington Station in London, on the last Saturday shopping day before Christmas, after the announcement that London will move into Tier 4 Covid restrictions from midnight.
Image: People crowded on to the concourse at Paddington Station in London

She added: "The grandparents are just desperately happy they'll see their grandson.

"We obviously worry about taking something down to them, but they seem happy to take the risk."

Izzy, 22, from Bristol, said that she wanted "the security of being home for Christmas" and that her parents had come to collect her before the restrictions came into effect.

"I have a slight nervousness that they might block the roads or something, stopping me going home," she said.

"I'm moving out of my flat so I need my dad to come and get me and he feels more comfortable doing it before Tier 4 kicks in."

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMifWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LWxvbmRvbmVycy1mbG9jay10by10cmFpbnMtYW5kLWNhcnMtaW4tZWZmb3J0LXRvLWZsZWUtdGhlLWNpdHktYWhlYWQtb2YtbmV3LXJ1bGVzLTEyMTY4MDQ10gGBAWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1sb25kb25lcnMtZmxvY2stdG8tdHJhaW5zLWFuZC1jYXJzLWluLWVmZm9ydC10by1mbGVlLXRoZS1jaXR5LWFoZWFkLW9mLW5ldy1ydWxlcy0xMjE2ODA0NQ?oc=5

2020-12-20 03:22:55Z
52781247698161

UK's Christmas plans in tatters with harsh new lockdown for 18 million people - BBC News - BBC News

حولالصحافةحقوق الطبع والنشرالتواصل معنامنشئو المحتوىالإعلانمطوّرو البرامجالأحكامالخصوصيةالسياسة والأمانآلية عمل YouTubeتجربة الميزات الجديدة

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiK2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9RjdsRmJlWUdwc3PSAQA?oc=5

2020-12-19 23:01:02Z
52781247698161

No Deal Brexit looms as the EU mounts a last-minute 'ambush' over fishing rights - Daily Mail

No Deal Brexit looms as the EU mounts a last-minute 'ambush' over fishing rights and negotiations are 'expected to finish by Christmas one way or another'

  • Government sources said it was 'widely accepted' no agreement was imminent
  • No 10 was infuriated by ultimatum from EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier
  • Would have allowed Brussels to impose 'lightning tariffs' on London 
  • Some on Tory Whatsapp groups warned the Prime Minister could ‘shaft’ them 

Downing Street insisted Brexit trade talks were entering ‘the final hours’ last night and it was ‘increasingly likely’ that the UK would leave the bloc without a deal after the EU tried to mount a last-minute ambush over fishing rights.

Government sources said it was ‘widely expected’ that the negotiations would conclude ‘one way or another’ before Christmas, but that no agreement was imminent.

No 10 was infuriated by an ultimatum from EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier that would have allowed Brussels to impose ‘lightning tariffs’ on London if the Government restricted access to UK fishing waters.

A source said: ‘Talks have become stuck due to unreasonable EU demands on areas such as subsidies and fisheries.

‘We need to get any deal right and based on terms which respect what the British people voted for.

No 10 was infuriated by an ultimatum from EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured) that would have allowed Brussels to impose ¿lightning tariffs¿ on London if the Government restricted access to UK fishing waters

No 10 was infuriated by an ultimatum from EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured) that would have allowed Brussels to impose ‘lightning tariffs’ on London if the Government restricted access to UK fishing waters

A catch is unloaded at the fishing port at Bridlington Harbour in Yorkshire, after Boris Johnson warned that talks with the European Union on a trade deal were proving 'very tricky'

A catch is unloaded at the fishing port at Bridlington Harbour in Yorkshire, after Boris Johnson warned that talks with the European Union on a trade deal were proving 'very tricky'

‘Unfortunately, the EU are still struggling to get the flexibility needed from member states and are continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence.

‘We cannot accept a deal that doesn’t leave us in control of our own laws or waters.

‘We’re continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but without a substantial shift from the Commission we will be leaving on World Trade Organisation terms on December 31.’

But many Brexiteers on the Tory backbenches fear Mr Johnson will ‘sell them out’ by agreeing to a poor deal. Yesterday, former Cabinet Minister Theresa Villiers warned that this decision would be Mr Johnson’s ‘Churchill moment’.

Some on Tory Brexiteer WhatsApp groups warned that the Prime Minister could ‘shaft’ them.

Ms Villiers sought to remind Mr Johnson of the historic nature of the decision he would have to make by referring to Winston Churchill, one of his heroes. She told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s all on Boris. History will judge his premiership on the choice he makes in this negotiation. It will overshadow everything else he ever does.

EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic attends a debate on the future relation between the EU and UK at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on December 18

EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic attends a debate on the future relation between the EU and UK at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on December 18

‘He can either hold out and ensure we take back control of our laws, or he can give ground and leave us trapped in the regulatory orbit of the EU. He promised to ‘get Brexit done’ and the next few days will determine whether or not he does. If ever there was a Churchill moment, this is it.’ There has been anger that if a deal is reached this weekend, MPs unable to come to Westminster because of sickness will be barred from the debate on the settlement under current rules.

Former Tory Cabinet Minister Cheryl Gillan, who cannot attend, said she was ‘furious’, adding: ‘To silence MPs is just not right.’

Commons anti-virus measures let MPs ask questions by video-link but bar them from taking part in actual debates on legislation.

Any Brexit deal is expected to require a Bill to be passed by both the Commons and the Lords.

Under social-distancing rules, only 50 MPs are allowed in the Chamber at one time – suggesting that only a fraction of the 650-strong Commons would get the chance to speak on the legislation.

Britain's Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe, David Frost leaves the UK Mission ahead of a meeting with Mr Barnier

Britain's Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe, David Frost leaves the UK Mission ahead of a meeting with Mr Barnier 

Attempts to allow MPs with serious medical conditions to take part in debates remotely collapsed, with the Tories and Labour blaming each other for the impasse. Ms Villiers said: ‘If an agreement is reached, it is crucial that MPs have the time to scrutinise and debate every page.

‘This is one of the biggest constitutional changes for decades and Parliament must not be bounced into making hasty decisions.

‘A way must also be found which ensures that MPs isolating because of Covid can play their part.’

However, sources said last night that following the decision to put London into tier 4 Covid restrictions, there were plans to lift the ban on MPs debating via video-link. A source said: ‘That does seem sensible given yesterday’s decision.’

All absent MPs will be able to vote on Brexit deal legislation by nominating a proxy to walk through the voting lobby on their behalf.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTA3MTQxOS9Oby1EZWFsLUJyZXhpdC1sb29tcy1FVS1tb3VudHMtbWludXRlLWFtYnVzaC1maXNoaW5nLXJpZ2h0cy5odG1s0gF1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHltYWlsLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZS05MDcxNDE5L2FtcC9Oby1EZWFsLUJyZXhpdC1sb29tcy1FVS1tb3VudHMtbWludXRlLWFtYnVzaC1maXNoaW5nLXJpZ2h0cy5odG1s?oc=5

2020-12-19 22:43:00Z
52781250188516

Covid-19: Call for urgent executive meeting over Christmas rule changes - BBC News

Christmas tree
Getty Images

The justice and infrastructure ministers have called for an urgent meeting of the NI Executive.

On Saturday afternoon, the planned relaxation of Covid-19 rules in England, Scotland and Wales was cut from five days to just one.

In NI, no change has been announced to rules that allow three households to meet from the 23 to 27 December.

Naomi Long said urgent clarity was needed for families, while Nichola Mallon said "we need to act now".

After the prime minister's statement, the first and deputy first ministers spoke with the health minister, chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.

Arlene Foster tweeted that it is "an evolving situation with the virus mutation".

"Essential that we all play our part by following the regulations."

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
1px transparent line

Michelle O'Neill said discussions would continue over the weekend.

She said she had updated NI ministers and "more clarity is being sought" on travel arrangements.

"The executive will have to consider this urgently," she tweeted.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter
1px transparent line

A new six-week lockdown is coming into force at 00:01 GMT on 26 December, in a bid to suppress the spread of Covid-19.

When it was announced on Thursday, the executive said it would not affect the special Christmas rules allowing people from three households to come together for a period of five days.

Naomi Long said that with "Christmas just days away, [the] executive needs to meet tomorrow to provide clarity for families, particularly those planning to travel to form bubbles".

"People need answers urgently," she tweeted.

Nichola Mallon tweeted that "people are rightly concerned by reports tonight".

"We need to act now and provide clear communication to the public," she said.

A statement from the NI Executive was expected earlier on Saturday evening, but nothing has been issued.

It comes as Saturday's figures show a further 17 Covid-linked deaths were recorded in NI and there were a further 640 cases of the virus, bringing the Department of Health's death toll to 1,183.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiN2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLW5vcnRoZXJuLWlyZWxhbmQtNTUzNzk1ODPSATtodHRwczovL3d3dy5iYmMuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hbXAvdWstbm9ydGhlcm4taXJlbGFuZC01NTM3OTU4Mw?oc=5

2020-12-19 22:25:00Z
52781252898686

Britons back Royal Navy patrols to protect UK fishing fleet after Brexit - 'had enough!' - Express

The UK continued to insist today that it would prefer to leave the with no trade deal rather than compromise its independence after a crucial day of talks. With less than two weeks before Britain;s transition period ends, both sides are calling on the other to move to achieve a breakthrough and safeguard almost a trillion dollars worth of trade from tariffs and quotas. A UK government source said: "We need to get any deal right and based on terms which respect what the British people voted for.

"Unfortunately, the EU are still struggling to get the flexibility needed from member states and are continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence."

Since Britain left the EU in January, the talks have been largely stuck over two issues - including the bloc's fishing rights in British waters.

Express.co.uk readers were asked if they think UK naval vessels should protect Britain's fishing grounds post-Brexit and 99 percent of those who voted said yes.

Only one percent of those involved said no to the plan.

Those who said they don't know came in at zero percent.

The number of people who said no to using the Navy to protect territorial waters was 117.

And, those that said yes numbered 9,095.

Those who said they don't know tallied at 18 voters.

READ MORE: Boris MUST hold out against EU over fish warns ANDREA HOSSO

Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin blasted the proposal and said it “demonstrates the dangers of an acrimonious break-up” between the EU and the UK.

Royal Navy marines have the authority to board trawlers found illegally fishing in UK waters.

One Express.co.uk reader questioned the: "Why would we have a navy if not to protect our waters and citizens?

"Or do they think they should just be flag-wavers and mobile cocktail lounges visiting foreign territories?"

Another reader commented: "The Royal Navy already patrol UK waters as part of their fisheries protection duties.

"It's been that way since 1891."

Another reader said: "We should also change the organisation of HM Coastguard from being a bunch of shiney bottomed civil servants to an armed and operational coast guard like the US."

The poll ran on December 19 from 12.15 pm to 9.30 pm.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMzc0NjkxL2JyZXhpdC1uZXdzLXJveWFsLW5hdnktZmlzaGluZy1ib3Jpcy1qb2huc29uLVVLLXRlcnJpdG9yaWFsLXdhdGVycy1FVS1sYXRlc3TSAXpodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWsvMTM3NDY5MS9icmV4aXQtbmV3cy1yb3lhbC1uYXZ5LWZpc2hpbmctYm9yaXMtam9obnNvbi1VSy10ZXJyaXRvcmlhbC13YXRlcnMtRVUtbGF0ZXN0L2FtcA?oc=5

2020-12-19 22:03:00Z
52781250188516