Senin, 01 Februari 2021

COVID-19: England might not return to regional restrictions as lockdown is eased, Boris Johnson suggests - Sky News

England may not return to regional coronavirus restrictions when the current lockdown is eased, the prime minister has suggested.

"It may be that a national approach, going down the tiers in a national way, might be better this time round, given that the disease is behaving much more nationally," Boris Johnson said.

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PM 'confident' of variant protection

The PM said he was "keeping an open mind" on the subject, adding: "If you look at the way the new variant has taken off across the country, it's a pretty national phenomenon.

"The charts I see, we're all sort of moving pretty much in the same sort of way, I mean there are a few discrepancies, a few differences, so it may be that we will go for a national approach but there may be an advantage still in some regional differentiation as well."

The government is due to set out a roadmap for relaxing lockdown measures in the week beginning 22 February.

Mr Johnson has expressed his hope that children will be able to return to school from 8 March, which would signal the beginning of restrictions being eased.

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The tiered system of COVID-19 restrictions, with the severity of measures in a particular area dependent upon the prevalence of the virus there, was introduced by the government in October.

England returned to the system at the conclusion of the country's second lockdown in December, with the rules toughened up in a number of ways.

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Just under three weeks later, the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus prompted the PM to introduce a new Tier 4 level of restrictions and scrap the planned easing of restrictions over Christmas.

The tiered system was once again replaced by a national lockdown, England's third, on 4 January.

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2021-02-01 16:41:15Z
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Britain records fewest Covid deaths since December with 406 more victims - Daily Mail

More proof lockdown is working: Britain records fewest Covid deaths since December with 406 more victims as cases continue to dive - hitting a seven-week low of 18,607

  • For comparison, 22,195 coronavirus infections and 592 deaths were recorded across the UK last Monday
  • Government statistics also revealed another 322,000 coronavirus vaccines were dished out on Sunday 
  • It means the total number of Britons who have had at least one dose of their jab now stands at 9.3million 
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Britain today recorded the fewest daily coronavirus deaths since December, with officials posting just 406 more victims as the second wave continues to decline.

Department of Health figures also show cases are continuing to fall, hitting a seven-week low of 18,607 positive tests. 

For comparison, 22,195 infections and 592 deaths were recorded last Monday, meaning cases have fallen by 16.2 per cent week-on-week and deaths by 31.4 per cent. 

Government data also revealed another 322,000 Covid vaccines were dished out on Sunday, meaning 9.3million Britons have now received their first dose. No10 promised to vaccinate 13.9million of the most vulnerable by mid-February, in order to begin easing lockdown restrictions.

It was also revealed today that door-to-door coronavirus testing is being launched across eight parts of England amid fears the South African variant causing panic around the world is now spreading in the community. In a desperate attempt to keep track of the mutated virus that experts fear could hamper vaccines, health officials will visit homes in Surrey, the West Midlands, London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Lancashire.

Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants — as he held out hopes summer holidays can happen this year. The Prime Minister struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'.

After a leaked Cabinet Office report hailed the 'stabilising' situation, he also stressed that the Government believes all the jabs being used in the UK are effective against all variants. And after mixed messages from ministers he said he was 'optimistic' that Britons will be able to go on summer breaks.

Door-to-door mass tests of 80,000 people amid fears South African Covid variant is spreading in the UK

Door-to-door coronavirus testing is being launched across eight parts of England amid fears the South African variant causing panic around the world is now spreading in the community.

In a desperate attempt to keep track of the mutated virus that experts fear could hamper the current crop of vaccines, health officials will visit homes in Woking in Surrey, Walsall in the West Midlands, as well as parts of London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Lancashire.

More than 80,000 over-16s will be targeted as part of the huge surveillance scheme and residents will be asked to take a test regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. Local health bosses will go door-to-door, as well as police officers, firefighters and council workers.

As well as knocking on doors and asking residents to take tests there and then, extra mobile swabbing units will be deployed to all eight postcodes and home testing kits will be available to order online for residents to do themselves.

Public Health England has already spotted 105 cases of the 'B.1.351' South African variant since December 22, including 11 people — scattered across the eight areas receiving extra testing — who were struck down with the virus but had no history of international travel.

PHE said an 'extensive contact tracing investigation' had been carried out to isolate the 11 patients' close contacts. There is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness and early studies suggest the current crop of jabs are good enough to protect against it.

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In other dramatic coronavirus developments today:

  • Boris Johnson said lockdown was working and vaccines are effective against Covid variants, but warned it is too early to take 'foot off the neck of the beast';
  • Ministers are believed to be considering giving spare vaccines to Ireland in the coming months after the EU staged a humiliating climbdown on its threat to ban exports;
  • Britain could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK's vaccine juggernaut, according to a top scientist;
  • It has been claimed Matt Hancock vetoed a deal to manufacture a British vaccine in the United States because it did not guarantee the UK would get the first supply of jabs;
  • Rishi Sunak has been warned against a money-raising Budget next month with the tax burden at a 70-year high and the manufacturing recovery stalling.

More than 80,000 over-16s will be targeted as part of the huge surveillance scheme and residents will be asked to take a test regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. Local health bosses will go door-to-door, as well as police officers, firefighters and council workers.

As well as knocking on doors and asking residents to take tests there and then, extra mobile swabbing units will be deployed to all eight postcodes and home testing kits will be available to order online for residents to do themselves.

Public Health England has already spotted 105 cases of the 'B.1.351' South African variant since December 22, including 11 people — scattered across the eight areas receiving extra testing — who were struck down with the virus but had no history of international travel.

PHE said an 'extensive contact tracing investigation' had been carried out to isolate the 11 patients' close contacts. There is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness and early studies suggest the current crop of jabs are good enough to protect against it.

Experts fear there could be hundreds more cases already in the UK because PHE only analyses one in 10 random positive samples and the strain cannot be spotted in standard PCR tests. All of the swabs confirmed to have Covid will be sent to labs for further testing.

Health officials are anxious not to let another Covid variant run rampant, after Britain struggled to get a grip on the Kent strain which sparked a devastating second wave that plunged England into its third lockdown at the start of January.

In a desperate attempt to keep track of the South African variant that experts fear could effect the current crop of vaccines, health officials will carry out swabs in Woking in Surrey, Walsall in the West Midlands, as well as parts of London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Lancashire

In a desperate attempt to keep track of the South African variant that experts fear could effect the current crop of vaccines, health officials will carry out swabs in Woking in Surrey, Walsall in the West Midlands, as well as parts of London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Lancashire

Boris Johnson says that lockdown IS working and vaccines ARE effective against Covid

Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants - but warned it is too early to take our 'foot off the throat of the beast'.

The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'.

After a leaked Cabinet Office report hailed the 'stabilising' situation, he also stressed that the government believes all the jabs being used in the UK are effective against all variants. And he said he was 'optimistic' that Britons will be able to go on summer holidays this year. 

But Mr Johnson dodged committing to any timetable, amid fears that the South African version of the disease is transmitting in the community.

Two people in Surrey have tested positive for the variant of coronavirus, despite having no links to travel or previous cases of the strain - with 'surge testing' being carried out in the area to check the scale of the problem. In total the Department of Health says 105 cases have now been found in the UK. 

The PM told reporters on his visit to the vaccination hub in Batley: 'We are starting to see some signs of a flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations.

'But don't forget that they are still at a very high level by comparison with most points in the last 12 months, a really very high level.

'So the risk is if you take your foot off the throat of the beast, as it were, and you allow things to get out of control again then you could, alas, see the disease spreading again fast before we have got enough vaccines into people's arms.

'That's the risk.'

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Like the Kent variant, the South African version carries the N501Y mutation which makes it far more transmissible than the original Covid strain. And it has additional mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear will make it difficult for the immune system to recognise, even in vaccinated people. But early tests have shown the current crop of vaccines still work against the variant but may be slightly less effective.

Ministers have already banned travel from South Africa and surrounding countries in response to the threat. In response to the ever-growing threat of dangerous new variants, the Government last week ordered mandatory hotel-quarantines for arrivals from 30 'red list' countries — including Portugal and South Africa.

The PCR test — considered the gold standard method worldwide — looks for three genes present on the original virus that came out of China, the S gene, N gene and ORF1ab. Health officials are able to spot the Kent strain with regular PCR because that variant is missing the S gene.

But the South African version is much harder to track because it shares all three genes with the original strain so PCR results cannot differentiate between the two, meaning researchers need to manually sequence each sample in a laboratory.

PHE sources claimed today they were 'not expecting a surge in cases' because the strain is no more transmissible than the dominant Kent one currently plaguing the country, so it has no 'evolutionary edge' over it. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said this morning he was 'confident' that all the vaccines the UK has ordered will 'provide a high degree of immunity and protection against all variants'.

But Labour said it was 'deeply worrying' that the South African strain appeared to be spreading in the community, claiming it 'shows the UK Government's quarantine system is not working'. 

It comes as Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants - but warned it is too early to take our 'foot off the throat of the beast'.

The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'.

After a leaked Cabinet Office report hailed the 'stabilising' situation, he also stressed that the government believes all the jabs being used in the UK are effective against all variants. And he said he was 'optimistic' that Britons will be able to go on summer holidays this year. 

But Mr Johnson dodged committing to any timetable, amid fears that the South African version of the disease is transmitting in the community. 

The PM told reporters on his visit to the vaccination hub in Batley: 'We are starting to see some signs of a flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations.

'But don't forget that they are still at a very high level by comparison with most points in the last 12 months, a really very high level.

'So the risk is if you take your foot off the throat of the beast, as it were, and you allow things to get out of control again then you could, alas, see the disease spreading again fast before we have got enough vaccines into people's arms. That's the risk.'

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2021-02-01 16:14:00Z
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Covid: Boris Johnson 'optimistic' about summer holiday prospects - BBC News

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is "optimistic" people will be able to have summer holidays this year - but it depends on certain things going well.

Asked about tourism in the UK, he said he did not want to give "concrete" dates for such trips but would set out more details on 22 February.

The success of the vaccine rollout and level of Covid cases would be factors taken into consideration, he added.

Nearly 9.3 million people in the UK have had their first dose of a vaccine.

A vaccine has been offered to all older residents at eligible care homes in England, the NHS announced earlier - an achievement Mr Johnson described as a "crucial milestone".

The government is aiming to offer all care home residents and carers, people over 70 and frontline care workers a vaccination by mid-February.

Figures released on Monday show a further 18,607 Covid cases have been recorded. There have also been a further 406 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Mr Johnson, speaking during a visit to Batley, West Yorkshire, said: "I don't want to give too much concrete by way of dates for our summer holidays. I am optimistic - I understand the reasons for being optimistic - but some things have got to go right.

"The vaccine programme has got to continue to be successful.

"We have got to make sure we don't get thrown off course by new variants, we have got to make sure that we continue to keep the disease under control and the level of infections come down."

He added that once he gives more details in the last week of February "people should certainly be able to plan on that basis".

His comments come after Health Secretary Matt Hancock predicted "a happy and free Great British summer".

Meanwhile, the government has announced it is to carry out urgent door-to-door testing in parts of England for a new variant of coronavirus originally identified in South Africa, after cases were found with no known links to travel or previous cases.

All of the UK is currently under a lockdown, with people only allowed to travel abroad for essential purposes; such as work that cannot be done from home, medical appointments or educational reasons. These are the same "reasonable excuses" that apply to domestic travel.

Mr Johnson said there were signs the lockdown measures were working but it was too early to "take your foot off the throat of the beast" by easing restrictions.

"We are starting to see some signs of a flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations," he said.

"But don't forget that they are still at a very high level by comparison with most points in the last 12 months, a really very high level."

Chart shows daily cases are continuing to fall
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Rules around international travel were tightened last month, meaning all travellers must self-isolate for 10 days when they return to the UK, while people returning to England from high-risk countries will have to quarantine in government-provided hotels.

People leaving England will soon have to make a declaration on why they need to travel, which will be checked by carriers prior to departure, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced.

Some UK holiday providers have since reported a boom in domestic bookings for this summer.

The boss of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, said he is expecting "a strong return" for European beach holidays this summer thanks to the vaccination programme.

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Dr Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert who advises the government, suggested that if the UK continued the current pace of vaccinations - and jabs were shown to prevent transmission, not just severe infection - measures could begin to be eased from March.

"We need to be very careful," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme . "Hopefully by the summer we can get back to something pretty close to what we have seen before the pandemic as normal."

Vaccines would need to be "pretty good" at blocking transmission "to avoid a resurgence" of the virus when measures are eased, Dr Tildesley added, with research due on this over the next month.

The UK government announced on Monday that it had ordered an extra 40 million doses of a vaccine from the French pharmaceutical company Valneva, that should become available later in the year and into 2022.

That takes the total number of different vaccines the UK has secured to 407 million doses - more than enough for the entire population.

However, the prime minister's official spokesman said it was too soon to say when "surplus" vaccine doses could be donated to other counties, such as European Union member states.

He said the priority remained getting the vaccine to the most vulnerable in society by the spring.

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In other developments:

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2021-02-01 16:41:00Z
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Boris Johnson says lockdown is working and vaccines ARE effective against Covid variants - Daily Mail

Boris Johnson says lockdown is working and vaccines ARE effective against Covid variants as internal report hails 'stabilising' cases - but PM warns it is too early to take 'foot off the neck of the beast' amid fears South African mutant is spreading in UK

  • Boris Johnson insisted the coronavirus lockdown is working and vaccines are effective on current variants
  • The PM warned that it is still too early to take our 'foot off the throat of the beast' by easing curbs at this stage
  • He said he was 'optimistic' Britons will be able to go on summer holidays this year but did not give schedule 
  • Two cases of South African strain not linked to travel found in Surrey with 'surge' testing scheme under way
  • Dr Mike Tildesley said vaccination rollout could mean lockdown starting to be eased sometime next month
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Boris Johnson today insisted lockdown is working and vaccines are effective against coronavirus variants - but warned it is too early to take our 'foot off the throat of the beast'.

The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'.

After a leaked Cabinet Office report hailed the 'stabilising' situation, he also stressed that the government believes all the jabs being used in the UK are effective against all variants. And he said he was 'optimistic' that Britons will be able to go on summer holidays this year. 

But Mr Johnson dodged committing to any timetable, amid fears that the South African version of the disease is transmitting in the community.

Two people in Surrey have tested positive for the variant of coronavirus, despite having no links to travel or previous cases of the strain - with 'surge testing' being carried out in the area to check the scale of the problem. In total the Department of Health says 107 cases have now been found in the UK. 

The PM told reporters on his visit to the vaccination hub in Batley: 'We are starting to see some signs of a flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations.

'But don't forget that they are still at a very high level by comparison with most points in the last 12 months, a really very high level.

'So the risk is if you take your foot off the throat of the beast, as it were, and you allow things to get out of control again then you could, alas, see the disease spreading again fast before we have got enough vaccines into people's arms.

'That's the risk.'

Asked about the issue with variants spreading, Mr Johnson said: 'We are confident that all the vaccines that we are using provide a high degree of immunity and protection against all variants.'

He said the vaccines could be adapted to deal with new variants if necessary.

'The fact is we are going to be living with Covid for a while to come in one way or another, I don't think it will be as bad as the last 12 months – or anything like – of course, but it's very, very important that our vaccines continue to develop and to adapt, and they will,' he said. 

In other dramatic coronavirus developments today:

  • Ministers are believed to be considering giving spare vaccines to Ireland in the coming months after the EU staged a humiliating climbdown on its threat to ban exports; 
  • Britain could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK's vaccine juggernaut, according to a top scientist; 
  • It has been claimed Matt Hancock vetoed a deal to manufacture a British vaccine in the United States because it did not guarantee the UK would get the first supply of jabs.
The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'

The PM struck a positive tone as he visited a vaccination site in Yorkshire, saying there was evidence of a 'flattening and maybe even a falling off of infection rates and hospitalisations'

Mr Johnson dodged committing to any timetable, amid fears that the South African version of the disease is transmitting in the community

Mr Johnson dodged committing to any timetable, amid fears that the South African version of the disease is transmitting in the community

Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace.

Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace.

Door to door testing for South African variant 

Health chiefs will carry out door-to-door swabs in the Goldsworth Park and St Johns areas of Woking from today to seek out the mutant strain, regardless of whether people have symptoms or not. Households within the ME15 area of Kent will also be visited and asked to take a PCR test.

It comes after two Surrey residents tested positive for the South African variant despite having no travel links to the country — the first sign of community transmission.

The 'surge testing' will be done by local health chiefs, along with Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care. The surveillance scheme is expected to be broadened to Egham in the coming days.

Health officials are desperate not to let another Covid variant run rampant as Britain struggles to get a grip on the Kent strain which sparked a devastating second wave that plunged the country into its third lockdown.

So far there have been 105 cases of the South African variant, known as B.1.351, across the UK since December – but this is likely to be an underestimate because PHE only analyses one in 10 random positive samples.

The variant has mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear will make it difficult for the immune system to recognise, even in vaccinated people, and ministers have banned travel from South Africa and surrounding countries as a result.

But there is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness and early studies suggest the current crop of jabs are good enough to protect against it. 

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Health chiefs will carry out door-to-door swabs in the Goldsworth Park and St Johns areas of Woking from today to seek out the mutant strain, regardless of whether people have symptoms or not. Households within the ME15 area of Kent will also be visited and asked to take a PCR test.

It comes after two Surrey residents tested positive for the South African variant despite having no travel links to the country — the first sign of community transmission.

The 'surge testing' will be done by local health chiefs, along with Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care. The surveillance scheme is expected to be broadened to Egham in the coming days.

Health officials are desperate not to let another Covid variant run rampant as Britain struggles to get a grip on the Kent strain which sparked a devastating second wave that plunged the country into its third lockdown.

So far there have been 105 cases of the South African variant, known as B.1.351, across the UK since December – but this is likely to be an underestimate because PHE only analyses one in 10 random positive samples.

The variant has mutations on its spike protein which scientists fear will make it difficult for the immune system to recognise, even in vaccinated people, and ministers have banned travel from South Africa and surrounding countries as a result.

But there is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness and early studies suggest the current crop of jabs are good enough to protect against it. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said today he was 'confident' that all the vaccines the UK has ordered will 'provide a high degree of immunity and protection against all variants'.   

Ruth Hutchinson, director of public health for Surrey, said: 'This is a precautionary measure – the more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at stopping it from spreading further. By playing your part and taking the test, you'll be helping to keep your community and your loved ones safe.

'It's really important to say that there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness, so you don't need to worry.

Dr Alison Barnett, regional director at Public Health England South East, said: 'The UK has one of the best genomic systems in the world which has allowed us to detect the variant originating in South Africa here in Surrey.

'I urge everyone offered a test to take it up to help us to monitor the virus in our communities and to help suppress and control the spread of this variant.

'The most important thing is that people continue to follow the guidance that is in place – limit your number of contacts, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, keep your distance and cover your face. If you test positive by any method, you must isolate to stop the spread of the virus.'

PM 'optimistic' about summer holidays 

Boris Johnson has give Britons more hope about summer holidays - despite refusing to give a timetable for easing lockdown.  

The PM said he is 'optimistic' people will be able to enjoy a break this year, provided the disease can be kept under control.

'I don't want to give too much concrete by way of dates for our summer holidays. I am optimistic – I understand the reasons for being optimistic – but some things have got to go right,' he said during a visit to Batley, West Yorkshire.

'The vaccine programme has got to continue to be successful. We have got to make sure we don't get thrown off course by new variants, we have got to make sure that we continue to keep the disease under control and the level of infections come down.'  

The premier's words were echoed by a top scientist, who said the UK could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK's vaccine juggernaut.

Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace.

And he suggested that the lockdown could start to be eased some time next month as hoped - but will need to be done 'relatively gradually' and carefully to avoid a spike in cases.  

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After a shocking report warned that the pandemic could wipe £350billion off children's future earnings, Mr Johnson said that while the economy can bounce back strongly he is concerned about the impact on education.

'It is going to take a while for our country to bounce back completely from Covid. The economy, I think, can bounce back very, very strongly – the UK has immense natural resilience,' he said.

'The thing that really concerns me at the moment is education and the deficit in our children's education that we have run up as a result of these lockdowns.

'That for me is one of the major, major priorities for us – making sure that we ameliorate and repair the loss of time in the classroom, the loss of educational opportunities.'

Mr Johnson said he is 'optimistic' people will be able to enjoy a summer holiday this year, provided the disease can be kept under control.

'I don't want to give too much concrete by way of dates for our summer holidays. I am optimistic – I understand the reasons for being optimistic – but some things have got to go right,' he said during a visit to Batley, West Yorkshire.

'The vaccine programme has got to continue to be successful. We have got to make sure we don't get thrown off course by new variants, we have got to make sure that we continue to keep the disease under control and the level of infections come down.' 

The premier's words were echoed by a top scientist, who said the UK could be back to something close to pre-coronavirus life as soon as the summer thanks to the UK's vaccine juggernaut.

Professor Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease expert and member of the Sage advisory panel, said the jab could introduce huge changes within months if the rollout continues apace.

And he suggested that the lockdown could start to be eased some time next month as hoped - but will need to be done 'relatively gradually' and carefully to avoid a spike in cases.  

His optimism came after a weekend of mixed messages from ministers about what the summer will look like for lockdown-weary Britons.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock raised the hopes of millions yesterday as he said that he expected a 'Great British summer' powered by the success of the vaccine rollout.

But less than half an hour after his local BBC interview, Trade Secretary Liz Truss said it was 'dangerous' for ministers to go on television 'making promises about people's summer holidays'.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today programe this morning,  Prof Tildesley said: 'The danger is that as we start to unwind controls we offset the gains we get from vaccinations so we need to be very careful.

'But if the vaccine rollout continues at high levels and we do find that actually these vaccines are good at blocking transmission as well as preventing severe infection, then we are in a good position.

Tax burden for Britons is at a 70-year high 

The tax burden is at a 70-year high amid warnings businesses face disaster if Chancellor Rishi Sunak moves to raise more money in next month's Budget.

The Treasury is set to rake in 34.2 per cent of economic output in the next financial year, according to campaign group the TaxPayers' Alliance. 

The average tax burden – the amount of tax taken by the Treasury compared with the size of the economy – over the last five years has already climbed to 33.8 per cent, the highest since 1951. 

The Chancellor is believed to be considering a rise in capital gains tax as he tries to balance the books after the coronavirus pandemic. Business tax and fuel duty rises are also thought to be among the potential targets.

But grim figures today show the UK's recovery already appears to be stalling, with activity in the manufacturing sector falling to a three-month low due to fresh lockdowns and post-Brexit supply chain disruptions.

The CBI has been calling for the holiday on business rates to be extended further, with firms still under huge pressure. 

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'And hopefully by the summer we can get back to something pretty close to what we have seen before the pandemic was normal.'

His optimistic outlook came as Ryanair's boss  voiced his hope that European beach holidays could return this summer thanks to vaccines.

Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of the budget airline, said he believes there could be a huge surge in demand for flights to Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal this summer.

His airline has already tried to advertise holidays this year with a 'jab and go' advert. 

In a message of optimism, he predicted that the Covid-hit travel and hospitality industry could finally 'return to normal' by the end of this year - due to a 'pent-up demand' from beach-deprived Britons.

But, speaking on the day the Irish low-cost carrier announced expected losses of £800million across 2021, he warned the boom was dependent on the success of the UK's Covid vaccine roll-out.

So far almost nine million Britons have received their first dose of a Covid jab - with the Government currently on track to have everyone over the age of 50 vaccinated by the end of March.

And Mr O'Leary believes ministers should lift travel restrictions once Britain's most vulnerable have been protected.

Local elections due to take place on May 6 look like they will go ahead, after the Conservative Party told activists they should campaign without knocking on doors or delivering leaflets during the lockdown.

Last night it was revealed proxy voting rules are to be altered to accommodate people with coronavirus

Currently people who wish to nominate a friend to vote on their behalf have to give six weeks' notice which would rule out many people struck down by the pandemic or forced to self-isolate.

Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of the budget airline, said he believes there could be a huge surge in demand for intra-European flights this summer

Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of the budget airline, said he believes there could be a huge surge in demand for intra-European flights this summer

Mr Hancock has long been a summer optimist despite the horrific coronavirus death rate. In December he revealed he had already booked his summer holiday

Mr Hancock has long been a summer optimist despite the horrific coronavirus death rate. In December he revealed he had already booked his summer holiday

But the rules are to be changed to allow proxies to be nominated on the same day as a vote, as late as 5pm. 

Appearing on BBC Politics East yesterday morning, Suffolk East MP Mr Hancock said he was confident that a high percentage of the UK population would have had their jab within the next six months, enabling a roll-back of restrictions that have been in place since the new year.

'In six months we will be in the middle of, I hope, a happy and free great British summer. I have a high degree of confidence that by then the vast majority of adults will have been vaccinated.

'That is not just the clinically vulnerable groups but then going to all groups, people like me - I'm in my 40s and healthy and we will have got though everybody. 'That will give a high level of protection.'

Speaking a short time later on LBC radio, Ms Truss said that the government's focus was on schools.

'We have to just focus on step by step and summer holidays, I'm afraid, are a lower priority than getting kids back to school,' she told the radio station.  

'If there is one thing we have learnt during the coronavirus crisis so far, is how unpredictable things are, what things could emerge.

'I think it would be very dangerous for a government minister to go on your show making promises about people's summer holidays.'

She accepted that current rules which require quarantine and negative Covid tests would likely be 'quite permanent' and would be in place for the 'foreseeable future'

Later, speaking on Andrew Marr, she said there was a long way to go before the summer months. 

The travel industry, both domestic and international, has been among the worst-hit by the repeated lockdowns over the past 10 months. 

Mr Hancock has long been a summer optimist despite the horrific coronavirus death rate.

In December he revealed he had already booked his summer holiday, travelling to Cornwall with his osteopath wife Martha and their three children.

Speaking in the Commons Mr Hancock had said: 'I do have high confidence that the summer of 2021 will be a bright one without the sort of restrictions that made the summer of 2020 more restrictive. I've booked my holiday. I'm going to Cornwall.' 

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2021-02-01 12:59:00Z
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SA variant: Urgent testing after community cases found - BBC News

Taking a swab at testing centre
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Urgent testing for the South Africa variant of coronavirus is beginning in parts of England, after cases were found with no known links to travel or previous cases.

Over 16s in eight areas in Surrey, London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Walsall are being asked to take tests whether they have symptoms or not.

Previous cases in the UK were traced back to South Africa.

But random checks have identified 11 cases that cannot be linked.

Public Health England has been sequencing around 5% to 10% of all positive cases that enables them to identify variants so there could be more cases in the community.

In total 105 cases of the South African variant have been identified.

The 11 cases cannot be directly linked back to people who had travelled to South Africa, prompting fears there may be community transmission of the virus.

And the government has now sent mobile testing units to a number of neighbourhoods where these cases have been identified.

In some areas, home testing kits are also being sent to households.

Positive cases will be analysed to see if they are caused by the South African variant.

Around 80,000 people live in the eight neighbourhoods being targeted.

The neighbourhoods are:

  • W7 and W17 in west London
  • CR4 in Croydon, London
  • WS2 in Walsall
  • ME15 in Maidstone, Kent
  • PR9 in Southport
  • EN10 in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
  • GU21 in Woking

Dr Susan Hopkins, of Public Health England, urged people to come forward in these areas.

"We are trying to contain this so it does not spread."

More contagious

Like the UK variant, the South African variant is thought to be more contagious but there is no evidence it causes more serious illness.

However, there are signs it makes vaccination a little less effective.

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But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said they would still give a high degree of immunity nonetheless, adding the vaccines could be adapted to deal with new variants if necessary.

"The fact is we are going to be living with Covid for a while to come in one way or another," Mr Johnson said.

"I don't think it will be as bad as the last 12 months, or anything like, of course.

"But it's very, very important that our vaccines continue to develop and to adapt - and they will."

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2021-02-01 13:41:00Z
52781345843141

Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as First Minister to make lockdown statement to MSPs - Scottish Daily Record

Nicola Sturgeon is due to make a statement to MSPs on Tuesday, updating them on lockdown.

While the Scottish Government has already said the current restrictions will last till at least the middle of February, the First Minister said it would provide some detail on “other steps we are planning to take”.

She stressed that “the current lockdown is working”, saying the number of infections was falling.

But she added: “That said, case numbers are still high, too high, much higher than we would want them to be, so we need to get them down further – then we need to keep them as low as possible.”

Scotland has recorded six deaths of coronavirus patients and 848 new cases in the past 24 hours.

The death toll under this measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 6,112.

Speaking at the Scottish Government coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said the daily test positivity rate is 9.5%, up from 8.1% on Sunday when 1,003 new cases were recorded.

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2021-02-01 12:44:00Z
CBMiXGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3Mvbmljb2xhLXN0dXJnZW9uLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXVwZGF0ZS1saXZlLTIzNDE5ODg40gFgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHlyZWNvcmQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9wb2xpdGljcy9uaWNvbGEtc3R1cmdlb24tY29yb25hdmlydXMtdXBkYXRlLWxpdmUtMjM0MTk4ODguYW1w

SA variant: Urgent tests after community cases found - BBC News

Taking a swab at testing centre
Getty Images

Urgent testing for the South Africa variant of coronavirus is beginning in parts of England, after cases were found with no known links to travel or previous cases.

Two cases were found in Surrey, and testing will also take place in London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Walsall.

Previous cases in the UK were traced back to South Africa.

Cases caused by the variant were identified as part of Public Health England's random checks on tests.

The agency has been testing 5% of all positive cases, which has thrown up a number of cases that were not directly linked to people who had travelled to South Africa, prompting fears there may be community transmission of the virus.

It is not known how many cases have been identified.

The government has now ordered mobile testing units to be dispatched to a number of neighbourhoods where these cases have been identified.

In the Surrey town of Woking, home testing kits will also be sent to households.

Positive cases will be analysed to see if they are caused by the South African variant.

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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has played down fears about vaccines being ineffective against the variants that are circulating.

"We are confident that all the vaccines that we are using provide a high degree of immunity and protection against all variants."

He said the vaccines could be adapted to deal with new variants if necessary.

"The fact is we are going to be living with Covid for a while to come in one way or another, I don't think it will be as bad as the last 12 months - or anything like - of course, but it's very, very important that our vaccines continue to develop and to adapt, and they will," he said.

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2021-02-01 12:42:00Z
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