Babak Belurs

Jumat, 05 Februari 2021

COVID-19: England's local elections to go ahead in May - with voters told to bring their own pens - Sky News

Local elections will go ahead in England in May with councils being given an extra £30m to make polling stations and counts COVID-secure.

Voters will be asked to bring their own pens or pencils to fill in their ballot papers, while the wearing of face coverings will be made compulsory in polling stations.

Hand sanitiser, divider screens, and social distancing markers will also be provided at polling stations, while new measures to reduce travel for potential candidates when completing their nomination forms will be introduced.

Proxy voting rules will be changed to allow those who need to self-isolate to request an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day itself.

Ministers are also reminding all voters they can request a postal vote in advance of polling day, although the government will not be imposing compulsory postal voting due to fears of an increased risk of fraud.

On Thursday 6 May, elections will be held across England's county councils, metropolitan boroughs, unitary authorities and district councils, as well as for the London Assembly.

Elections will also be held for police and crime commissioners in England and Wales, as well as for 13 directly-elected mayors in England - including in London.

Most of the elections were postponed for 12 months following their cancellation last year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although England is still in a national lockdown, the government justified the holding of elections this year by pointing to how elections have been held under COVID restrictions in countries such as Ireland, France, Italy, Portugal, Israel, South Korea and the United States.

By 6 May, the nine most vulnerable groups in the UK should also have received COVID vaccines under the nationwide vaccination programme.

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Chloe Smith, constitution and devolution minister, said: "We are publishing a detailed plan to deliver May's elections in a safe and secure way.

"This is backed up by additional funding for councils, and practical changes to electoral laws to help both voters and candidates.

"Democracy should not be cancelled because of COVID.

"More than ever, local people need their say as we build back better, on issues ranging from local roads, to safer streets, to the level of council tax.

"As the government rolls out the vaccine to the most vulnerable, we will be able to leave lockdown and open our country up safely again.

"We will work with political parties to ensure that these important elections are free and fair."

There will be an estimated £92m of government grant funding to local authorities for this year's elections, of which £31m is directly linked to additional costs for making polling stations and counts COVID-secure.

May's elections will be the first electoral tests for politicians since the coronavirus crisis began.

It will also be the first elections for Labour under their new leader, Sir Keir Starmer.

An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: "It is an important democratic principle that elections should proceed as scheduled whenever possible.

"The electoral community has been preparing for Covid-safe elections since last March, when the 2020 elections were postponed.

"Together, we have taken steps to help everyone involved take part safely and confidently."

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2021-02-05 10:34:55Z
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Heartfelt tributes paid to 'best lassie on planet' Scots takeaway worker after 'double stabbing' in Kilmarnock - Daily Record

Tributes have been paid to a 'beautiful' young woman who 'always had a smile' following a double stabbing of a mother and daughter in Kilmarnock last night.

Dozens of emergency services raced to the town centre and Crosshouse Hospital following reports of multiple fatalities.

NHS worker Emma Robertson Coupland, 39, and her daughter, Nicole Anderson, 24, died following the incident which saw Crosshouse Hospital locked down for over three hours last night.

Emma was attacked in the car park of her work outside Crosshouse Hospital.

Mercy crews battled to save her but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Takeaway worker Nicole was stabbed shortly after on Portland Street, around two miles away from the hospital.

She was rushed to Crosshouse hospital where she later died.

A third incident involving a serious car crash on the A76, was reported to police at around 8.30pm.

Emergency services attended but the 40-year-old male driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police at a cordoned off carpark at Crosshouse Hospital Kilmarnock after a major incident last night (Image: Daily Record)

Heartfelt tributes to the popular takeaway worker have flooded in across social media following the shock attack saying she will 'never be replaced'.

A relative, wrote on Facebook: “I’m totally broken my God man this cannot be happening. We argued like all the time but you’re my only sister, my first niece. Please man tell me I’m dreaming, no way man.”

Nicole Anderson has been described as the 'best lassie on planet' (Image: Facebook)

Another family member said he was 'absolutely devastated' and had lost his 'wee cousin, my childhood best friend, my wee sister, and my saviour all in one'.

He wrote: “Honestly can’t even put into words how I’m feeling, absolutely devastated to say the least got the worst news of my life yesterday I just can’t take it in, I’ve lost wee cousin, my childhood best friend, my wee sister and my saviour all in one!!

“She was the most loving caring person in this world, and never had a smile off her face! You’re gonna be one missed girl Nicole.

"Best lassie to walk this planet without a doubt, my wee go too is gone I’ll make sure your memory is never forgotten and look after your little sisters for you and your mum, love you forever and a day beautiful.”

Other friends replied with heartfelt condolences to the 'most amazing girl'.

Emma Robertson died in an incident in Kilmarnock

Crosshouse Hospital incident

One said: “I’m so sorry. She was the most amazing lassie I knew, thoughts to all your family I’m heartbroken.”

A friend added: “Thinking of you, my heart is broken for you all. RIP Nicole, she was smiling.”

Meanwhile another wrote: “Nicole was a great girl and she will be sorely missed.”

Another added: “I’ve known Nicole for years, such a beautiful girl. I’m so in shock. I’m sending all my love and hugs. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time.”

Police at the scene of a possible stabbing in Kilmarnock. Pic Victoria Stewart, Reach. (Image: Reach PLC)

Nicole’s finacee Vicky King posted a public tribute where she wrote: “My beautiful wee angel I will love you forever. Hoping I could wake up and this would all be a dream. Can’t take it in, I’m completely broken.”

PM's minority adviser Samuel Kasumu offered to quit over 'division' - BBC News

Boris Johnson's senior adviser on ethnic minorities resigned complaining of "unbearable" tension within Downing Street - but then decided to stay on.

In a letter to the prime minister, seen by the BBC, Samuel Kasumu accused the Conservative Party of pursuing "a politics steeped in division".

But he retracted his resignation on Thursday night after talks with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi.

No 10 said the government was the most ethnically diverse in UK history.

Mr Kasumu, an entrepreneur who has worked for the government since 2019, said in his letter that he wanted to step down as an adviser by May.

He argued that black and Asian voters were now less likely to choose the Conservatives than they had been under former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Kasumu also suggested equalities minister Kemi Badenoch may have broken the ministerial code when she publicly criticised a HuffPost journalist last week for asking why she had not appeared in a social media video featuring black MPs encouraging take-up of vaccines.

And he criticised the government's response to Ms Badenoch's actions, saying: "It was not OK or justifiable, but somehow nothing was said. I waited, and waited, for something from the senior leadership team to even point to an expected standard, but it did not materialise."

He said the Conservatives had built a coalition of voters to win a majority at the last general election, but added: "I fear for what may become of the party in the future by choosing to pursue a politics steeped in division."

Mr Kasumu's letter said the government's culture was not "conducive" to "empathy" and "the damage that is often caused by our actions is not much considered".

"As someone that has spent his whole adult life serving others, that tension has been at times unbearable," he said.

A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on individual staff members, but said: "This government is committed to inclusion and bringing communities together and is the most ethnically diverse in this country's history."

The government had set up a Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities to tackle inequality and discrimination and it is due to report shortly, they added.

It is understood the Cabinet Office is looking into whether Ms Badenoch broke the ministerial code.

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2021-02-05 10:24:00Z
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Crosshouse Hospital incidents LIVE as police remain in Kilmarnock following 'stabbing' - Scottish Daily Record

Here's what we know from last night

Police are investigating three potentiall linked incidents in Kilmarnock.

The first happened on the grounds of Crosshouse Hospital with early reports of a 'stabbing' of a nurse. This was around 7.45pm on Thursday evening.

The second incident took place around 20 minutes later on Portland Street, and the third, a serious road crash on the A76, at around 8.30pm.

Police said the incidents are not being treated as terrorist-related.

University Hospital Crosshouse was placed under lockdown but this was lifted around 11pm. The hospital is open and is safe.

Ambulances were diverted to University Hospital Ayr while the lockdown was in place.

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2021-02-05 08:31:25Z
52781354247112

Crosshouse Hospital incidents LIVE as police remain in Kilmarnock following 'stabbing' - Scottish Daily Record

Here's what we know from last night

Police are investigating three potentiall linked incidents in Kilmarnock.

The first happened on the grounds of Crosshouse Hospital with early reports of a 'stabbing' of a nurse. This was around 7.45pm on Thursday evening.

The second incident took place around 20 minutes later on Portland Street, and the third, a serious road crash on the A76, at around 8.30pm.

Police said the incidents are not being treated as terrorist-related.

University Hospital Crosshouse was placed under lockdown but this was lifted around 11pm. The hospital is open and is safe.

Ambulances were diverted to University Hospital Ayr while the lockdown was in place.

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Covid-19: Hotel bookings for quarantine being made 'at pace' - BBC News

Thousands of hotel rooms are being block-booked by the government hours after it confirmed quarantine rules related to Covid variant hotspots will begin on 15 February.

Ministers plan for more than 1,000 UK residents a day to return from places where new variants are prevalent.

Those arrivals must pay to stay in a hotel for 10 nights, with security accompanying them if they go outside.

Labour accused ministers of "putting lives at risk" by not acting sooner.

The hotel quarantine requirements are being introduced in an effort to control the spread of new variants of coronavirus first identified in South Africa and Brazil, which scientists believe may be more infectious and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.

The rules affect UK residents and Irish nationals travelling from 33 countries on the "red list" - which covers much of South America, southern Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal.

Non-UK travellers from these locations are currently banned from entry anyway, so that is why they are not - at this time - affected by the quarantine plan.

Hotels near airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are expected to be booked up for quarantine.

The government said it is working "at pace" to secure the rooms it needs and has had discussion with more than 60 companies in the hotel and travel industries.

"In the face of new variants, it is important that the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives," a Department of Health statement said.

The hotels would also be required to work with government-approved security staff, according to documents seen by the BBC.

These security guards will patrol inside and outside the hotel to "prevent unauthorised access". Anyone wanting to smoke outside or get fresh air will also be escorted by security staff.

Quarantined travellers will be served three meals a day in their rooms, with hot and cold options. Tea, coffee, fruit and water will be available.

An industry source said the government estimated quarantine could cost about £80 a night.

"If they are taking rooms for 1,425 [newly-arrived] passengers per night until 31 March, that is a bill of £55m," the source added.

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People in the UK are currently banned from travelling abroad unless they "first have a legally permitted reason to leave home", such as work.

Many hotels in and around airports have lost bookings from holidaying customers who typically book in for a night to be near the airport for early-morning departures. That means they may be more likely to agree to the government's main requirement that quarantine hotels agree to turn away all other customers and have their premises used solely by quarantining travellers.

The chair of the Manchester Hoteliers' Association, Adrian Ellis, said some hotels "would be interested".

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My understanding is if you become a quarantine hotel, you can't have other business. So those that are already open, for example dealing with business groups or business guests, as per the government guidelines, you can't then become a quarantine hotel as well.

"So only those ones that are currently closed, and we are guessing near to the airport, will be the ones that are selected."

'Brand reputation'

Paul Charles, a travel consultant who is leading a campaign called "Quash Quarantine" said many hotels are "concerned about the brand reputation being tarnished if they take in guests who could turn out to be positive" and staff are concerned "who may be subject to guests who pass on Covid".

Government sources said they expect the prospect of paying for secure accommodation could see the numbers of travellers returning from high risk areas swiftly reduce.

Ministers are also likely to increase the fines for people who break the rules.

Details on how passengers will book their place in a quarantine hotel are expected to be set out by the government next week.

But Labour said the government was doing "too little, too late" on hotel quarantine, adding that it should be extended to all international travellers.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "We are in a race against time to protect our borders against new Covid strains.

"Yet hotel quarantine will come in to force more than 50 days after the South African strain was discovered."

The UK recorded 20,632 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday and a further 915 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Nearly 10.5 million people had received a first dose of the vaccine by 3 February, according to the latest figures.

CHINA AND THE PANDEMIC: The gulf between what Chinese officials knew and what they told the world...
KATIE PRICE: HARVEY AND ME: A deeply personal film following Katie Price and her disabled son Harvey in a crucial year of his life

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2021-02-05 07:36:00Z
52781352219007

Kamis, 04 Februari 2021

Covid-19: Hotel bookings for quarantine being made 'at pace' - BBC News

Thousands of hotel rooms are being block-booked by the government hours after it confirmed quarantine rules related to Covid variant hotspots will begin on 15 February.

Ministers plan for more than 1,000 UK residents a day to return from places where new variants are prevalent.

Those travellers must stay in hotel rooms for 10 nights, with security accompanying them if they go outside.

Labour accused ministers of "putting lives at risk" by not acting sooner.

The rules affect UK residents and Irish nationals travelling from 33 countries on the "red list" - which covers much of South America, southern Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal.

Non-UK travellers from these locations are currently banned from entry anyway, so that is why they are not - at this time - affected by the quarantine plan.

Hotels near airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are expected to be booked up for quarantine.

The government said it is working "at pace" to secure the rooms it needs and has had discussion with more than 60 companies in the hotel and travel industries.

"In the face of new variants, it is important that the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives," a Department of Health statement said.

With the government's current ban on British people going abroad for anything but essential travel reasons, many hotels in and around airports have lost bookings from holidaying customers who typically book in for a night to be near the airport for early-morning departures.

So that means they may be more likely to agree to the government's main requirement that quarantine hotels agree to turn away all other customers and have their premises used solely by quarantining travellers.

The hotels would also be required to work with government-approved security staff, according to documents seen by the BBC.

These security guards will patrol inside and outside the hotel to "prevent unauthorised access".

Anyone wanting to smoke outside or get fresh air will also be escorted by security staff.

Quarantined travellers will be served three meals a day in their rooms, with hot and cold options. Tea, coffee, fruit and water will be available.

An industry source said the government estimated quarantine could cost about £80 a night.

"If they are taking rooms for 1,425 [newly-arrived] passengers per night until 31 March, that is a bill of £55m," the source added.

GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?
NEW VARIANTS: How worried should we be?
LOCKDOWN TIPS: Five ways to stay positive
VACCINE: When will I get the jab?