Babak Belurs

Jumat, 08 Januari 2021

Covid-19: Travellers to UK will need to show negative test result - BBC News

All international passengers will soon have to test negative for Covid-19 before travelling to the UK.

People arriving by plane, train or boat, including UK nationals, will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said travellers "can't board... without having that negative test".

It will be on top of the rule to self-isolate for 10 days when arriving in the UK.

Mr Shapps said the government was "very keen to do it now" because of the new variant of the virus circulating in South Africa, which he said was "causing great concern with the scientists".

"They're not sure whether for example the vaccine will be able to deal with it in the first place, and we're very, very keen to keep it out," he told BBC Breakfast.

The new measures are expected to come into force across the UK from next week, and "as soon as possible" in Scotland.

It comes after a further 1,162 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK - the second consecutive day of more than 1,000 recorded fatalities. There were also 52,618 new cases.

Amid the surge in cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to offer "hundreds of thousands" of Covid vaccines per day in England by 15 January.

Under the new rules, anyone who arrives in the UK and has not got proof of a negative test could face an immediate £500 fine.

But there will be exemptions for:

children under 11
hauliers
those travelling from countries without the infrastructure to deliver tests - although details of those have not been released yet
arrivals from the Common Travel Area with Ireland.

All passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list must still self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their test result.

Mr Shapps said the rule will be UK-wide, although non-essential travel to and from Scotland and Wales is already banned.

The Welsh government said there were currently no international passengers arriving into Wales through Cardiff Airport, but "when they do, they will be subject to the same requirements as the rest of the UK".

'Belt and braces' rules

Members of the aviation industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic, acknowledged the need for testing but urged ministers to lift the rules as quickly as possible.

"If this will help, then so be it," said John Holland-Kaye, the boss of Heathrow, which has had testing facilities for months.

But he said it was a "really belt and braces approach", adding: "We have always argued for pre-departure testing as an alternative to quarantine... now we're going to have both".

"And it can only be a temporary measure, very few people will travel with this in place," he added, calling for the government to set out a plan of how to lift the measures.

He also called for a "common international standard for testing" so countries had consistency, saying it was "confusing" for travellers.

Asked when he reckoned travel could return to normal, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are anticipating that as the vaccination starts to take effect in the UK and in other countries, we'll see flights starting to come back and passenger numbers building up through the summer and then into the autumn."

Tim Alderslade, the chief executive of the industry body Airlines UK, said the move should be "a short-term, emergency measure only".

"Once the rollout of the vaccine accelerates, the focus must be on returning travel to normal as quickly as possible", he added, including "removing the need to quarantine or test".

Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the new measures were "necessary" but highlighted that the opposition party "has been calling for a comprehensive strategy on testing for international travel since April".

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It comes after England banned travellers from countries near South Africa to stop the spread of the new local Covid variant.

The latest travel curbs come as all of the UK is under strict Covid rules, with lockdowns in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and most of Scotland - meaning there is very little international travel.

At a Downing Street press conference on Thursday, the prime minister confirmed almost 1.5 million people in the UK had now received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, but warned there would likely be "lumpiness and bumpiness" as the rollout continued.

The government has set a target to offer vaccination slots to the top four priority groups - including all over-80s - by 15 February.

Are you currently abroad? How will this affect your plans? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
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2021-01-08 09:07:00Z
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Covid-19: Travellers to UK will need to show negative test result - BBC News

All international passengers will soon have to test negative for Covid-19 before travelling to the UK.

People arriving by plane, train or boat, including UK nationals, will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said travellers "can't board... without having that negative test".

It will be on top of the rule to self-isolate for 10 days when arriving in the UK.

Mr Shapps said the government was "very keen to do it now" because of the new variant of the virus circulating in South Africa, which he said was "causing great concern with the scientists".

"They're not sure whether for example the vaccine will be able to deal with it in the first place, and we're very, very keen to keep it out," he told BBC Breakfast.

The new measures are expected to come into force across the UK next week, and "as soon as possible" in Scotland.

It comes after a further 1,162 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK - the second consecutive day of more than 1,000 recorded fatalities. There were also 52,618 new cases.

Amid the surge in cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to offer "hundreds of thousands" of Covid vaccines per day in England by 15 January.

But even with the vaccines, fears about new Covid strains have led the government to take further measures regarding international travel.

Anyone who fails to comply with the new travel regulations could face an immediate £500 fine.

There will, however, be a small number of exemptions, including hauliers, children under 11, and those travelling from countries without the infrastructure to deliver tests. Arrivals from the Common Travel Area with Ireland will also be exempt.

And all passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list must still self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their test result.

Mr Shapps said the rule will be UK-wide, although non-essential travel to and from Scotland and Wales is already banned.

'Belt and braces' rules

Figures in the aviation industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic, acknowledged the need for the restrictions to ensure that hospitals in the UK are not overwhelmed by the pandemic.

However, they urged ministers to lift them as quickly as possible.

John Holland-Kaye, the boss of Heathrow - which has had testing facilities for months - welcomed the measures, saying "if this will help, then so be it".

But he said it was a "really belt and braces approach", adding: "We have always argued for pre-departure testing as an alternative to quarantine... now we're going to have both".

He said the measures must be temporary and the government must set out a plan of how to lift the rules.

And he also called for a "common international standard for testing" so countries had consistency, saying it was "confusing" for travellers.

Tim Alderslade, the chief executive of the industry body Airlines UK, said the move should be "a short-term, emergency measure only".

He added that "once the rollout of the vaccine accelerates, the focus must be on returning travel to normal as quickly as possible", including "removing the need to quarantine or test".

It comes after England banned travellers from countries near South Africa to stop the spread of the new local Covid variant.

LOCKDOWN LOOK-UP: The rules in your area
TESTING: How do I get a virus test?
SYMPTOMS: What are they and how to guard against them?
LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?

The latest travel curbs come as all of the UK is under strict Covid rules, with lockdowns in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and most of Scotland - meaning there is very little international travel.

The government has set a target to offer vaccination slots to the top four priority groups - including all over-80s - by 15 February.

Are you currently abroad? How will this affect your plans? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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

Or use this form to get in touch:

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COVID-19: Travellers arriving in England and Scotland will need negative tests to be granted entry - Sky News

All travellers to England and Scotland from overseas will need to test negative for coronavirus before they are allowed to enter the country, the government has announced.

The test will need to be taken up to 72 hours before their departure - and failure to comply will result in an immediate £500 fine.

Arrivals by boat, plane and train are covered by the new regulations, which also apply to UK nationals.

Follow live COVID updates from the UK and across the world

The Department for Transport hopes the policy will help prevent the spread of new variants of COVID-19, such as those found in Denmark and South Africa.

Ministers have long faced calls to strengthen border measures with pre-arrival testing, which is already in place in many countries around the world.

Regardless of their test result, all passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list will still be required to self-isolate for 10 days.

They will have the option to reduce their quarantine period to as little as five days by paying for another test on or after the fifth full day since travelling to England.

Arrivals will also need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form and abide by the current lockdown restrictions.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps denied the government had moved too slowly to tighten controls at the border, telling Sky News he had to "wait for the... industry globally to provide enough coronavirus tests".

He admitted "there are concerns" about the new variant of coronavirus discovered in South Africa - "particularly about how effective the vaccine would be against it, so we simply cannot take chances".

From next week, Border Force officials will check passengers' test results to ensure they are complying with the new rules.

There will be a limited number of exemptions to the new requirements - including for hauliers, children under 11, crews and for those who travelling from countries without the infrastructure available to deliver the tests.

There will also be no need for pre-departure testing for arrivals from the Common Travel Area with Ireland.

The new rules currently only apply to England and Scotland, although the Department for Transport is working with the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland to roll out similar measures.

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour's shadow home secretary, said the measures were a "necessary step".

However, he added: "Labour has been calling for a comprehensive strategy on testing for international travel since April. Instead, the government has been lurching from one crisis to another.

"In that time they have lost control of the virus and risked leaving the nation's doors unlocked against the possibility of different strains of the virus entering the country from across the world."

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of the industry body Airlines UK, said: "We recognise the government's need to act now and support the introduction of pre-departure testing in order to keep the country safe and borders open.

"However, this should be a short-term, emergency measure only and once the rollout of the vaccine accelerates, the focus must be on returning travel to normal as quickly as possible in order to support the UK's economic recovery.

"This includes removing the need to quarantine or test as the UK population is vaccinated and the virus is brought under control at home and abroad."

Meanwhile, the French government has decided to keep the current testing arrangements for lorry drivers crossing the Channel.

Last month, France dramatically shut its border to arrivals from Britain - due to fears of the new COVID variant in the UK - with the resulting chaos causing huge queues of hauliers around motorways in Kent.

A deal to reopen the border between the two countries to hauliers and some passengers - if they test negative for COVID - was subsequently reached.

And, following a review of the measures, the French government on Thursday decided to keep the restrictions in place.

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2021-01-08 08:06:49Z
52781282641363

Hunt for fake vaccine fraudster who injected woman, 92, in Surbiton - BBC News

A fraudster claiming to work for the NHS injected a 92-year-old woman with a fake Covid-19 vaccine, City of London Police has said.

Detectives are hunting the man who charged the victim in Surbiton, south-west London, £160.

Police said it was "crucial" he was caught as soon as possible as he "may endanger people's lives".

Det Insp Kevin Ives described it as a "disgusting and totally unacceptable assault".

'Dart-like implement'

Police said the victim allowed the man into her home on the afternoon of 30 December after he said he was from the NHS and there to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

She said she was jabbed in the arm with a "dart-like implement" before being charged £160 which the man said would be refunded by the NHS.

Everything you need to know about the Covid vaccine in the UK

The City of London Police said it is not known what substance, if any, was administered, but the woman showed no ill effects after being checked at her local hospital.

Det Insp Ives said this would "not be tolerated" as he appealed for more information to identify the suspect.

He added: "It is crucial we catch him as soon as possible as not only is he defrauding individuals of money, he may endanger people's lives."

The man made a second visit to the woman's home on 4 January, when he asked for another £100, police said.

Police released CCTV footage on Friday of a man dressed in a navy blue tracksuit with white stripes down the side, who they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

He is described as a white man in his early 30s, who is about 5ft 9 inches (1.7m) tall, of medium build, with light brown hair that is combed back and he speaks with a London accent.

For more London news follow on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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2021-01-08 06:50:00Z
52781291721387

Kamis, 07 Januari 2021

COVID-19: International travellers to England will need negative COVID test before they are allowed to enter - Sky News

All travellers to England from overseas will need to test negative for coronavirus before they are allowed to enter the country, the government has announced.

The test will need to be taken up to 72 hours before their departure - and failure to comply will result in an immediate £500 fine.

Arrivals by boat, plane and train are covered by the new regulations, which also apply to UK nationals.

The Department for Transport hopes the policy will help prevent the spread of new variants of COVID-19, such as those found in Denmark and South Africa.

Ministers have long faced calls to strengthen border measures with pre-arrival testing, which is already in place in many countries around the world.

Regardless of their test result, all passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list will still be required to self-isolate for 10 days.

They will have the option to reduce their quarantine period to as little as five days by paying for another test on or after the fifth full day since travelling to England.

Arrivals will also need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form and abide by the current lockdown restrictions.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "We already have significant measures in place to prevent imported cases of COVID-19, but with new strains of the virus developing internationally we must take further precautions.

"Taken together with the existing mandatory self-isolation period for passengers returning from high-risk countries, pre-departure tests will provide a further line of defence - helping us control the virus as we roll out the vaccine at pace over the coming weeks."

From next week, Border Force officials will check passengers' test results to ensure they are complying with the new rules.

There will also be no need for pre-departure testing for arrivals from the Common Travel Area with Ireland.

The new rules currently only apply to England, although the Department for Transport is working with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to roll our similar measures.

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour's shadow home secretary, said the measures were a "necessary step".

However, he added: "Labour has been calling for a comprehensive strategy on testing for international travel since April. Instead, the government has been lurching from one crisis to another.

"In that time they have lost control of the virus and risked leaving the nation's doors unlocked against the possibility of different strains of the virus entering the country from across the world."

"This includes removing the need to quarantine or test as the UK population is vaccinated and the virus is brought under control at home and abroad."

Meanwhile, the French government has decided to keep the current testing arrangements for lorry drivers crossing the Channel.

A deal to reopen the border between the two countries to hauliers and some passengers - if they test negative for COVID - was subsequently reached.

And, following a review of the measures, the French government on Thursday decided to keep the restrictions in place.

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Covid-19: Patients urged to get vaccine as soon as they can - BBC News

A doctor has urged people to get one of the two coronavirus vaccines as soon as they possibly can.

Dr Simon Stockley, from Eaglescliffe Medical Practice in Stockton, said he did not think there was a difference between the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Oxford-AstraZeneca version.

"The best vaccine as far as I can work out is the one that can be put into your arm soonest," he said.

Another doctor claimed some patients had turned down the Pfizer vaccine.

The US/German Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was made available at the start of December, while the Oxford-AstraZeneca version was authorised on 30 December.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said both vaccines were safe.

"I can well understand that people are trying to make a decision as to whether one is better than another and I don't think there's any evidence that allows you to make that distinction," Dr Stockley told BBC Radio Tees.

"If you are being offered the Pfizer vaccine now, waiting for something else to come along that is describably better seems perverse."

Dr Stockley was responding to a tweet from Dr Paul Williams, former Labour MP for Stockton South, which said: "Some local patients have turned down an offer this weekend of getting a Covid vaccine when they found out it was the Pfizer one. 'I'll wait for the English one'."

Dr Williams was a GP and continued to see patients while he was an MP. After being voted out in 2019 he has worked at North Tees Hospital.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has previously said the Pfizer vaccine was "a tribute to scientific endeavour and human ingenuity and to the hard work of so many people".

Boris Johnson has said getting the jab was "good for you and good for the whole country".

On Thursday, the prime minister confirmed almost 1.5 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.

He said the vaccine rollout was a national challenge requiring an unprecedented effort and said it would involve the armed forces.

More than 1,000 GP-led sites in England will be able to offer a total of "hundreds of thousands" of jabs each day by 15 January, he said.

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

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2021-01-07 20:06:00Z
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COVID-19: Claims that hospitals are not struggling are a 'lie' - as PM tells conspiracy theorists to 'grow up' - Sky News

Claims that hospitals are not under pressure from surging numbers of people suffering badly with coronavirus are a "lie", the chief executive of NHS England has said.

Speaking at a Downing Street briefing, Sir Simon Stevens said false claims on social media could change behaviour in a way that would cause more deaths.

In his condemnation of those who allege the COVID crisis in hospitals is a "hoax", Sir Simon said: "You are not only responsible for potentially changing behaviour that will kill people.

"But it is an insult to the nurse coming home from 12 hours in critical care, having worked her guts out under the most demanding and trying of circumstances.

"There is nothing more demoralising than having that kind of nonsense spouted when it is most obviously untrue."

And he was backed by the prime minister, who also hit out at those who were dismissive of the pressures on hospitals.

"The kind of people who stand outside hospitals and say 'COVID is a hoax' and this kind of stuff, really I do think they need to grow up," Boris Johnson said.

"You heard eloquently from the head of NHS England the pressure the NHS is under and we've all got to do our bit, responsibly, to protect it.

"For a lot of us, the vast majority of the country, that means making sure we stay at home and protect the NHS.

"For people who are getting invited to get a vaccine, go and get the jab."

Sir Simon had earlier outlined the current challenges facing the NHS in England, describing how there are now 50% more coronavirus patients in hospitals now than during the peak of the first wave of infections last April.

"That is true in every region in the country now - more COVID inpatients than back in April," he said.

"That number is accelerating very, very rapidly."

Sir Simon said there had been an increase of 10,000 coronavirus patients in hospitals since Christmas Day.

"That's the equivalent of filling 20 acute hospitals with extra coronavirus patients," he added.

"And, of course, many of those will be patients who've caught the infection between Christmas and New Year, given the delay between catching infection and becoming seriously ill."

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Compared to last year's first wave of COVID infections, Sir Simon said the situation was now more severe as hospitals are now also caring for many more non-coronavirus patients than they were last year.

He described a "very serious" situation in London and across parts of the South East, with 800 patients a day admitted to the capital's hospitals with coronavirus.

"That is the equivalent of a new St Thomas' hospital full of Covid patients, fully staffed, every day, or a new University College Hospital, full of coronavirus patients every day," Sir Simon added.

"So it is absolutely vital that the measures that are now in force do begin to have an impact on slowing and cutting the infections across London and the rest of the country."

He said London hospitals were expanding their number of beds, making use of private hospitals and that London's NHS Nightingale Hospital is planned to open next week.

The specially-constructed facility, housed at the Excel convention centre, would also soon serve as one of the country's large vaccination centres, Sir Simon said.

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2021-01-07 19:17:50Z
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Jumat, 08 Januari 2021

'Belt and braces' rules

'Belt and braces' rules

More from Covid-19

'Dart-like implement'

Kamis, 07 Januari 2021

More from Covid-19

More from Covid-19