Covid-19: Polls open for elections and US backs waiver on vaccine patents - BBC News

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Thursday morning. We'll have another update for you this evening.

1. Polls open for bumper set of elections

Polls have opened on what is the Britain's biggest voting day since the 2019 general election. Many of the elections - on what has been dubbed "Super Thursday" - were due to be held last year but the pandemic forced their delay, meaning that more than usual are taking place this time. Elections for the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd, and 143 councils and 13 mayors in England are happening. A Westminster by-election is also taking place in Hartlepool.

2. US backs waiver on vaccine patents to boost supply

The US has thrown its support behind an initiative at the World Trade Organization to waive intellectual property protections for coronavirus vaccines. India and South Africa put forward the proposal to set aside patents on vaccines six months ago, arguing it would increase production around the world. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said "extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures". But pharmaceutical companies insist patents are not the primary obstacle, and cautioned that the move could stifle innovation.

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3. No full-time return to the office for over a million

Almost all of 50 of the UK's biggest employers questioned by the BBC have said they do not plan to bring staff back to the office full-time. Some 43 of the firms said they would embrace a mix of home and office working, with staff encouraged to work from home two to three days a week. Four firms said they were keeping the idea of hybrid working, working from home some of the time, under review. Currently, people who can work from home are still advised to do so.

4. 'We need to care for patients, but also ourselves'

As the pandemic starts to ease, Dr Dan Gearon and many other doctors across the country are voicing the need to have better mental health services for medics. He created the charity, You Okay, Doc? after his cousin Liz, who was an anaesthetist at King's College London, took her own life in 2016.

5. 'We are desperate to go travelling again'

Like many people, Chloe Dickenson's travel plans ground to a halt last year when the world was thrown into lockdown. A so-called "digital nomad", the 22-year-old was living and working from her laptop overseas. With improved wi-fi and flexible workspaces across the globe, digital nomadism has boomed over recent years. And while the global travel restrictions have temporarily grounded many such nomads, longer term the movement is expected to grow much further. Read more here.

Chloe Dickenson

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And there's more...

Hand sanitiser, plastic screens and one-way systems are some of the things you can expect at polling stations today. Things are a bit different this year so find out what it will be like when you go to vote - try to remember to take a pen or pencil for hygiene reasons (some should be available in the polling station, for anyone who forgets).

Find further information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page.

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• "I READ MUSIC SCORES AS IF THEY WERE SUBTITLES": What it's like to be a deaf musician
• FRESH STARTS: Stacey Dooley chats to people who have embarked on new beginnings

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2021-05-06 06:44:16Z
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UK to send two Royal Navy ships to Jersey after France threatens blockade of island port - Sky News

The UK is sending two Royal Navy ships to Jersey "as a precaution" after threats of a French blockade of the island's main port over a post-Brexit fishing row.

Downing Street confirmed Boris Johnson spoke to Chief Minister of Jersey Senator John Le Fondre on Wednesday evening "about the prospect of a blockade of Saint Helier" - the island's main town.

"The prime minister and chief minister stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation in tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on fishing access," a Downing Street spokesman said.

"The prime minister underlined his unwavering support for Jersey. He said that any blockade would be completely unjustified. As a precautionary measure the UK will be sending two offshore patrol vessels to monitor the situation.

"They agreed the UK and Jersey governments would continue to work closely on this issue."

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Image: HMS Severn (in pic) and HMS Tamar are being sent to Jersey

Image: HMS Tamar is a new Royal Navy patrol ship. Pic: MoD

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed HMS Severn, described as being able to mount fishing vessels for inspection, and HMS Tamar, one of the Navy's newest warships, were being deployed to Jersey "to conduct maritime security patrols".

"This is a strictly precautionary measure and has been agreed with the Jersey Government," he added.

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France earlier threatened to cut the island's electricity off and French fishermen threatened to blockade the main port of St Helier to prevent supplies from being delivered.

Up to 100 French fishing boats are due to enter the harbour on Thursday at 6am to prevent the Commodore Clipper, carrying cargo, from docking in Jersey, according to local paper the Bailiwick Express.

French officials also said they will be closing their Channel Islands' offices and will stop importing Jersey products into France.

Grateful to Prime Minister @BorisJohnson for speaking with @Ian_Gorst and me this evening, and offering his wholehearted support in de-escalating the tensions between Jersey and our French neighbours over fishing access.

— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) May 5, 2021

France accused the UK of using red tape to limit fishing around Jersey, in breach of the Brexit agreement made with the EU last year, and said it is "ready to use these retaliation measures".

"With regards to Jersey, I would remind you, for example, of electricity transmission by underwater cable. So, we have the means," French maritime minister Annick Girardin said.

Image: French fishermen have threatened to blockade the port of St Helier

The UK's environment and food secretary George Eustice said the row was about 17 French fishing vessels that have failed to provide the data needed for Jersey to grant them a licence to fish in its waters.

Ms Girardin said the authorisation of 41 boats to fish in Jersey waters had been accompanied by new demands "which were not arranged or discussed, and which we were not notified about".

The demands set out where ships could and could not go, how long fishermen can spend at sea, and what machinery they can use, she added.

Image: George Eustice said 40 vessels have been given licences already - but France said they have come with conditions

Mr Eustice said the UK has been asking the European Commission for the data needed to complete the licence applications and will issue them "as soon as they have provided that data".

"I think the threat that was made is completely disproportionate and unacceptable," he said.

"We are working through the agreement, Jersey have already licensed over 40 vessels, they've been very pragmatic throughout this.

"They've also been clear that they'll process the remaining 17 or so as soon as they put forward the data, so I think it's unacceptable to make those sorts of comments."

Mr Eustice said "a small number" of French authorities or individual French fishermen have been "difficult to identify" and get the data from but Jersey has issued temporary licences as vessels gather the data.

Analysis: Downing Street is sending a strong message to France

By Alistair Bunkall, defence correspondent

Protecting UK fishing waters is one of the Royal Navy's oldest tasks, but Downing Street's decision to send two warships to the Channel Islands is a deliberate posture after France's initial threat to cut off electricity to the islands.

HMS Tamar and HMS Severn are OPVs - Offshore Patrol Vessels. Despite the rather lowkey name, they are sophisticated ships, especially Tamar which only entered service in 2020 and is equipped with the latest radar, sonar and weaponry technology.

The Royal Navy provides its ships to the UK government (Defra) for a set number of days each year to assist in patrols of waters around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The devolved Scottish government has its own fleet.

The UK's Exclusive Economic Zone is the fifth largest in the world, extending 200 miles from the coast. The Royal Navy's role in UK waters is to prevent overfishing by foreign vessels and to enforce quotas. This has long been controversial but Brexit has made it more so.

Sending OPVs to Channel Island waters is, in itself, not controversial, but people I spoke to in the MoD and Royal Navy were not made aware of the announcement until late on. Fisheries post-Brexit were always going to be controversial, but it seems Downing Street is puffing out its chest and sending a strong message to Paris.

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2021-05-05 21:45:00Z
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Tories confident of election 'hat-trick' in Hartlepool, Teesside and the West Midlands - The Times

The Conservatives are increasingly confident that they will pull off a “hat-trick” of election victories in Hartlepool, Teesside and the West Midlands tomorrow.

Buoyed by the success of the vaccination rollout, Tory MPs and activists are bullish about their chances of winning all three elections after maintaining a healthy poll lead.

They believe they are on course to win the by-election in Hartlepool, a constituency that has elected Labour MPs since its creation, and retain the West Midlands and Tees Valley mayoralties, both of which they won by narrow margins under Theresa May in 2017.

Asked whether his party would pull off a hat-trick, Boris Johnson said today: “I think Andy Street has done an outstanding job in the West Midlands, I think Ben

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2021-05-05 16:00:00Z
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COVID-19: Two coronavirus cases among Indian delegation at London G7 meeting, Sky News understands - Sky News

The Indian delegation in the UK for this week's G7 meeting is self-isolating after two positive COVID tests among them, Sky News understands.

Although it is not a G7 member, India was among other countries invited to attend the first in-person meeting of the group's foreign ministers in more than two years in London this week.

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

Image: G7 foreign ministers met for 'COVID-secure talks' in London

The meeting was described as "COVID-secure talks" ahead of this June's full G7 summit in Cornwall.

Asked whether it had been a mistake to hold the G7 meeting in person, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday morning: "I think it's very important to try to continue as much business as you can as a government.

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"We have a very important relationship with India, with our G7 partners. As I understand it, what's happened is the individuals concerned they're all isolating now.

"I will be seeing the Indian foreign minister later on this afternoon but that will be a Zoom exchange."

It is understood the two Indian delegation members were found to be COVID positive on Tuesday from PCR tests as part of Public Health England's testing programme.

Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 5, 2021

Although the India delegation has yet to attend G7 meetings at London's Lancaster House, where some talks were held on Tuesday, they had been due to do so on Wednesday.

They will now take part in those meetings virtually.

However, Indian ministers and officials did have some other meetings in advance of their planned attendance at the Lancaster House talks.

Home Secretary Priti Patel met with India's foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday as the pair signed a new UK-India migration agreement.

Sky News understands because Dr Jaishankar has not tested positive, Ms Patel will not be self-isolating.

Dr Jaishankar posted on Twitter: "Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases.

"As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode.

"That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well."

Dr Jaishankar had also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.

Image: Dr Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week

As mask-wearing and social distancing was observed during the India delegation's in-person meetings this week, it is understood Public Health England do not see a need for the delegation's contacts to also self-isolate.

A senior UK diplomat said: "We deeply regret that Dr Jaishankar will be unable to attend the meeting today in person but will now attend virtually, but this is exactly why we have put in place strict COVID protocols and daily testing."

The India delegation were given diplomatic exemptions to the UK's quarantine rules on their arrival to the UK, although a daily testing regime is in place.

All other G7 attendees will continue to be tested daily and strict social distancing protocols will remain in place.

Image: Ms Patel and Dr Jaishankar signed a new immigration deal Pic: Tim Hammond/Downing St

On Wednesday morning, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said he was unaware of reports of G7 delegates self-isolating following a COVID scare.

Asked on Sky News whether he knew how many were self-isolating, he said: "I don't I'm afraid, but obviously Public Health England and the team that are organising G7 take this very seriously.

"We continue to have one of the most robust set of protocols around testing and so we will make sure that happens, but I don't know the numbers."

Image: Screens were part of the COVID protocols at the G7 meeting on Tuesday

He added: "This is news to me... I can't really comment."

The India delegation travelled to London amid a recent surge in COVID cases in their home country, which has led to a scramble for oxygen and other medical supplies in India's hospitals.

The UK has been among international donors of supplies, with British aid including a shipment of ventilators.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the positive cases among the India delegation in London raised questions about "how this happened".

Speaking on a local election campaign visit in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: "My thoughts are with those that have been affected by this and those that may be affected by this.

"I do think we need to ask questions about how this happened, if only to make sure that it's not repeated.

"It is a reminder of how vigilant we need to be about our borders - we've been challenging the government on this for some months.

"Let's get to the bottom of how this happened, we cannot have a repeat.

"My thoughts are with those affected. More broadly, obviously, my thoughts are with all those in India who are suffering.

"We've all seen those images and we must all do whatever we can to help the Indian people in their hour of need."

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2021-05-05 09:18:07Z
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Scottish election 2021: Sturgeon rules out 'wildcat' indyref2 vote - BBC News

Nicola Sturgeon has denied that she could hold a wildcat referendum on independence if the SNP wins a majority in Thursday's Holyrood election.

Ms Sturgeon was speaking as she came under attack from Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross in a televised BBC Scotland leaders' debate.

Mr Ross claimed that the SNP would hold an "illegal" referendum if the prime minister refused to give formal consent.

But Ms Sturgeon replied: "No we won't."

The SNP leader accused Mr Ross of spreading "smears and untruths" about her position.

• Five takeaways from final Holyrood election debate

SIGN UP FOR SCOTLAND ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage

She added: "What I have said consistently all along - sometimes to criticism from people on my own side of the argument - is that I would not countenance an illegal referendum, not least because it would not deliver independence.

"I want Scotland in the fullness of time and in due course to become an independent country.

"I will be responsible about that and I will build, and ultimately I think win, the case for independence through patient persuasion of people across the country."

SCOTLAND'S ELECTION: THE BASICS

What's happening? On 6 May, people across Scotland will vote to elect 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The party that wins the most seats will form the government. Find out more here.

What powers do they have? MSPs pass laws on aspects of life in Scotland such as health, education and transport - and have some powers over tax and welfare benefits.

The referendum in 2014 - which saw voters in Scotland reject independence by 55% to 45% - was formally approved by the UK government, with both it and the Scottish government pledging to respect the result.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far refused to grant the same consent for another vote on the issue, arguing that the 2014 referendum had settled the question for a generation.

And some within the independence movement - including former SNP leader and first minister Alex Salmond, who now leads the Alba Party - have called on Ms Sturgeon to set out an alternative path to independence if the PM's stance does not change.

And there have been suggestions that a referendum could be held without the UK government's approval - similar to the disputed vote in Catalonia in 2017.

The SNP manifesto says it wants to hold a referendum after the pandemic ends - with Ms Sturgeon not ruling out going to court to settle the question of whether Holyrood could legislate for a legal referendum without Westminster's backing.

• Look back on the final TV debate before the election
• Does Scotland's future lie in or out of the Union?
• Has Scotland's election campaign changed voters' minds?

But Mr Ross claimed: "Nicola Sturgeon has been clear. If she gets a majority, she'll take her eye off the ball for Scotland's recovery, for rebuilding the country from the pandemic, and seek to hold another independence referendum.

"She will ask for a Section 30 order - which the prime minister has said is absolutely the wrong thing to do right now in the middle of this global pandemic - and seek to divide the country all over again."

He said that, when the prime minister refused her request, Ms Sturgeon would "go ahead with an illegal wildcat referendum" - pointing to previous comments made by SNP MP Richard Thomson, who said the Scottish government would "simply go ahead with a referendum" if formal consent is refused.

What are the parties promising you?

Use our concise manifesto guide to compare where the parties stand on key issues like Covid-19, independence and the environment.

• Scotland election manifesto guide

The televised debate also featured the leaders of the three other parties who are represented in the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Mr Ross was the "gift that keeps on giving" for the SNP and claimed he was "only interested in saving his skin, not saving the union".

And he said it was "not credible" for Ms Sturgeon to lead the country through the recovery from the pandemic, while also leading a referendum campaign.

Mr Sarwar added: "I do not support a referendum, I don't support independence and I want people to choose something different.

"I want them to choose us to focus on a national recovery in the next parliament."

A modern browser with JavaScript and a stable internet connection is required to view this interactive. More information about these elections

Who can I vote for in my area?

Enter your postcode, or the name of your English council or Scottish or Welsh constituency to find out. Eg 'W1A 1AA' or 'Westminster'

A really simple guide to the 2021 elections

Note: This lookup covers national elections in Scotland and Wales, the Hartlepool by-election, as well as council and mayoral elections in England and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections in England and Wales. There may be parish council elections or council by-elections where you are. Check your local council website for full details. Last updated: April 29, 2021, 14:06 GMT

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said people would be "bemused" that party leaders were debating independence in the wake of one of deepest pandemics the country has ever faced.

Mr Rennie said: "The people who are waiting an age for mental health treatment I think deserve better than this, the people who are desperate for a job deserve better than this."

And he later added: "Despite the fact that it has been the policy of the SNP for generations, they still don't know what the currency would be" in an independent Scotland.

But Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the possibility of an independent Scotland would allow the country to shape a more radical future.

He added: "I don't think we can afford to pass up the opportunity to shape our own recovery. This is a moment of incredible opportunity to decide what kind of country is going to emerge from Covid."

But Mr Harvie and Ms Sturgeon disagreed over what currency an independent Scotland should use - with the Greens co-leader saying plans for a separate Scottish currency should begin "immediately" after a vote for independence.

But Ms Sturgeon said Scotland would continue to use the pound "for as long as necessary" after independence.

The debate also saw the five party leaders face questions on topics including the possible easing of foreign travel restrictions, the future of the social care sector, taxation and plans for a new £200m Royal Yacht.

• BASICS: A really simple guide to the election
• POLICIES: Who should I vote for?
• CANDIDATES: Who can I vote for in my area?
• RULES: How the BBC reports polling day
• VOTE: Why the results might take some time
• PODLITICAL: Updates from the campaign

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2021-05-04 21:17:41Z
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Julia James: Candles lit in memory of murdered PCSO - as police warn public to be 'very careful' - Sky News

Colleagues of murdered PCSO Julia James have warned the public to be "very safe and very careful" as candles were lit in her memory.

Officers from Kent Police have admitted they are "in deep shock" as the murder probe into her death enters its second week.

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said the force would do "all we can" to bring her killer to justice, but warned the community to be "very safe and very careful".

Image: Julia's daughter said lighting candles was 'a beautiful nod to Mum'. Pic: Kent Police

No arrests have been made in connection with the killing as police consider "all possible" motives to ther death which happened near Dover in Kent.

Ms James was murdered while out walking her dog in Akholt Wood, close to her home in the village of Snowdown. She had suffered serious head wounds.

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Image: Flowers have been laid in tribute to the 'fiercely loyal' support officer

And on Tuesday - a week to the day her body was discovered - mourners, including Ms James' daughter Bethan Coles, left lit candles on their doorsteps in tribute to the "fiercely loyal" 53-year-old.

In a Facebook post, Ms Coles said: "A number of people have asked about holding a vigil for Mum, and whilst I am so grateful for people wanting to remember her, I am very conscious that any gathering would need to be policed (if it was even allowed).

More on Kent

"I've discussed this with my family and we are in agreement that we would prefer all police resources to be concentrating on the investigation as there is so much work to be done."

Instead she suggested people wishing to remember her mother should light a candle for her and leave it on their doorstep.

She added: "This would be a beautiful nod to Mum in a way that doesn't intrude on the police investigation."

Image: A large group of forensics officers have been combing the scene

Speaking to ITV after visiting flowers left in her memory, the chief constable vowed to find Ms James' killer.

He said: "You can imagine that the force are in deep shock with regard to what's happened to Julia.

"We will do all we can to find out whoever did this to bring them to justice."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to her in a tweet.

He said: "Tonight we remember PCSO Julia James. My thoughts are with her friends and family."

Police in Dover have urged members of the public to be "cautious, vigilant and aware of your surroundings" while out and about.

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Police officer pays tribute to murdered colleague

At a press conference on Friday, Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards declined to rule out that Ms James was killed by a stranger, someone she came across during her work, someone trying to steal her dog, or as part of a sexual assault.

Mr Richards would not comment on any potential murder weapon and also declined to say whether detectives had found signs of a struggle.

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2021-05-04 19:57:27Z
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COVID-19: British holidaymakers could be allowed to travel to Europe within weeks - Sky News

Ministers are reportedly considering a handful of countries people from the UK will be able to travel to initially in the coming weeks.

Reports suggested the list could include about a dozen countries, although some newspapers have suggested it could be fewer than 10.

Several named Malta, Gibraltar, Portugal and Israel as likely destinations to be open to Britons, while the Daily Telegraph said Spain, Greece and France could be added by the end of June.

Live COVID updates amid summer holiday reports

Image: France could reportedly welcome tourists by the end of June

The Times put the Seychelles on its list, while the Daily Telegraph also included Iceland.

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The European Commission is proposing "to allow entry to the EU for non-essential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation, but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorised vaccine".

It did not say which countries would be on its list, but one unnamed official said the UK remains a "question mark".

More from Covid-19

The UK government's "green list" of countries to which people can travel without having to isolate for 14 days on their return is expected to be released this week, although it is understood details are still being finalised.

Boris Johnson has said the approach to foreign travel will be sensible and cautious to avoid "an influx of disease".

The prime minister said there would be "some opening up" on 17 May, the next milestone in easing restrictions, but that things must be done in a way "to make sure that we don't see the virus coming back in" to the UK.

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Govt doesn't want to 'reimport' the virus - Truss

Trade Secretary Liz Truss urged holidaymakers to wait for government announcements before booking.

Asked if travel would resume from 17 May, she told Sky News: "We are doing all we can to make sure we follow the roadmap and open up the economy and travel gradually.

"The really important thing is we don't move too fast and jeopardise the progress we have made - so people will have to wait a bit longer to be able to hear the news on what is happening on the travel front."

She said she would encourage people to wait before booking a holiday so they can see what the "details are based on the data".

The government fully supports safe travel but "we need to be cautious to make sure that we are not simply importing the virus after we have successfully dealt with it in Britain", Ms Truss said.

She added: "If we are able to have people go on holiday, I don't see any reason provided it is safe."

Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, who advises the government, said he was optimistic of something "a lot more normal" this summer.

However, he warned countries with high infection rates remained a travel risk and that COVID variants still had potential to cause a "major" third wave.

"I think if for instance, by the summer, infection levels in France and Italy are the same sort of level as they are here, then there's no risk associated with travelling overseas," he told the BBC's Today Programme.

"The risk comes from going from a place like the UK with very low infection levels and going to a place with much higher infection levels and therefore having the risk of bringing infection back.

"If the two places are at comparable levels, and that's what the EU is saying, then there is no particular risks associated with travel."

Prof Ferguson said variants such as the one first detected in South Africa - which are believed to be more resistant to vaccines - were a "major concern" that could still spark a "very major third wave in the autumn".

He said it was essential to get booster doses, designed to combat these variants, rolled out once the main vaccination programmes ends in the summer.

Those in the top four priority groups should hopefully begin getting the extra shots from September, according to the government.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LWJyaXRpc2gtaG9saWRheW1ha2Vycy1jb3VsZC1iZS1hbGxvd2VkLXRvLXRyYXZlbC10by1ldXJvcGUtd2l0aGluLXdlZWtzLTEyMjk0NTM10gF4aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LWJyaXRpc2gtaG9saWRheW1ha2Vycy1jb3VsZC1iZS1hbGxvd2VkLXRvLXRyYXZlbC10by1ldXJvcGUtd2l0aGluLXdlZWtzLTEyMjk0NTM1?oc=5

2021-05-04 10:28:16Z
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