Covid UK information – Thousands and thousands face new tier 3 lockdown TODAY as Matt Hancock pronounces new areas for coronavirus guidelines

WHAT CAN I DO IN ENGLAND?

The Prime Minister has advised individuals to “have a merry little Christmas – and I am afraid this 12 months I actually do imply little”.

Whereas Mr Johnson mentioned “we do not need to criminalise individuals’s long-made plans”, he warned individuals ought to be “extraordinarily cautious” when mixing subsequent week and may minimise contacts within the days main as much as Christmas.

Up to date steerage issued on Wednesday asks individuals to consider carefully about whether or not they should see aged pals or household, or people who find themselves “clinically extraordinarily weak”.

However the recommendation didn’t go so far as different nations and advocate limiting bubbles to 2 households.

WHAT IS THE LAW FOR CHRISTMAS?

Rules at the moment enable for 3 households to kind an unique “Christmas bubble” for the 5 days between December 23 and 27 throughout the UK.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday the Welsh authorities mentioned it would do issues in another way and legislate to cap bubbles at two households.

Politicians in England and Scotland have mentioned whereas the foundations will stay the identical, they’ve modified their recommendation to advocate limiting social contacts as a lot as doable.

TORY MP ATTENDS ‘XMAS PARTY’ WITH 27 GUESTS

A Tory MP attended a “Christmas get together” with 27 friends at a London membership – however has claimed it was a enterprise assembly.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the Commons defence committee, gave a speech on the Cavalry and Guards Membership in Piccadilly, after saying Christmas gatherings would spark a 3rd wage of coronavirus.

Mr Ellwood burdened that it was a “enterprise assembly”, allowed within the hours earlier than London was plunged into Tier 3.

He mentioned: “I might not be attending a Christmas get together, it was a enterprise assembly.

“I went there to fulfill enterprise individuals and that’s what it was. The membership went to excessive lengths in order that as a enterprise perform it was completely Covid-compliant.”

Extra on the story here

Tobias Ellwood gave a speech on the occasion with 27 friendsCredit score: IBBC

ZOOM LIFTS 40-MINUTE VIDEO CALL LIMIT FOR CHRISTMAS PERIOD

Households saved aside at Christmas will be capable to have prolonged video chats after Zoom confirmed it’s lifting its 40-minute name restrict on free accounts over the festive interval.

The video conferencing app mentioned it would scrap the restrict at occasions together with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The restrict will likely be lifted on Thursday 17 for the final day of Hanukkah, from 3pm within the UK till 11am on Saturday 19.

It would then be lifted once more between 3pm on Wednesday 23 and 11am on Saturday 26 to permit household and pals to have prolonged chats over Christmas.

DISCUSSIONS ONGOING ABOUT SCHOOLS REOPENING IN JANUARY

Discussions are below method about how pupils will return to high school at first of January, a prime official on the Division for Training has mentioned.

Susan Acland-Hood, everlasting secretary on the Division for Training, has prompt a written assertion on Thursday may announce how youngsters will return to class after the Christmas holidays.

Talking to MPs on the Public Accounts Committee, Ms Acland-Hood mentioned: “There are conversations happening about precisely how dad and mom and pupils will return initially of January, however I am afraid I am unable to converse to the committee about that this morning.”

NHS IN WALES ‘UNDER PRESSURE’

First Minister Mark Drakeford addressed the “strain” on Wales’s NHS and other people being pressured to attend for lengthy durations of time in ambulances.

He advised BBC Breakfast: “Wales is ready, however what you might be seeing in these very tough photos is the impression that coronavirus is having on the flexibility of the well being service to do all the opposite issues we wished to do.”

CARE HOME LOCKED PPE AWAY FROM STAFF

Carers mentioned important PPE was saved ‘locked away’ at a residential dwelling with managers questioning them when provides ran out.

One workers member advised Care High quality Fee (CQC) inspectors on a latest go to to Stonesby Home, Leicester, that they got only one masks for a 12 hour shift.

Others mentioned they’d been shopping for their very own PPE in a bid to maintain themselves and residents protected through the Covid pandemic.

The report consists of carers’ feedback, with one telling the CQC: “The supervisor retains questioning us why cleaning soap, gloves and masks are completed. They [meaning management] do not care about us [staff] or the residents; solely utilizing up PPE and the fee to exchange it.”

BORIS JOHNSON WISHES MACRON A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Boris Johnson has wished Emmanuel Macron a speedy restoration after the French president examined optimistic for Covid-19.

Posting on Twitter, the British Prime Minister wished Macron to recuperate from the virus quickly.

He wrote a tweet in English and one in French.

JET2 TELLS BRITS TENERIFE IS OPEN

Tenerife holidays are going forward, in response to Jet2, regardless of claims that the borders are being closed to vacationers.

The information that the island would shut the borders for 15 days from Friday was introduced yesterday by the president of the Canary authorities, Angel Victor Torres.

Nevertheless, the tour operator has mentioned they are going to proceed flying.

They mentioned in a press release: “We’re conscious of reports stories concerning Tenerife closing its borders to holidaymakers. We will guarantee clients that we now have acquired affirmation from the Canaries Authorities that this isn’t the case. 

“Holidaymakers can nonetheless journey to Tenerife to get pleasure from Christmas and their well-deserved holidays within the sunshine.”

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KATE GARRAWAY THANKS STAFF AT WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL

Kate Garraway advised workers on the Whittington Hospital: “It is so nice to speak to you as a result of I hadn’t realised that you simply’d truly cared for Derek when he was on the Whittington, which is when he first acquired sick and his life was saved by you, by all of you.

“I’ll get emotional now, so thanks a lot.”

Garraway added: “I’ve by no means spoken to you due to course we weren’t allowed to go to.

“Thanks a lot, and for all you are doing for therefore many individuals.”

Derek Draper and Kate GarrawayCredit score: Rex Options

KATE GARRAWAY THANKS NURSES WHO SAVED HUSBAND DEREK

Kate Garraway has thanked the nurses who saved her husband after he was admitted to hospital with coronavirus. 

Derek Draper, 53, has been in hospital, the place he was positioned in an induced coma, since March.

Good Morning Britain presenter Garraway was emotional as she talked to intensive care unit nurses on the ITV present.

“You’re absolute heroes, you are saviours of Derek and so many others,” she advised them.

BREAKING: EMMANUEL MACRON TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

French president Emmanuel Macron has entered self-isolation for seven days after testing optimistic for the coronavirus.

An announcement mentioned he had taken a check after exhibiting the preliminary signs of the virus.

You possibly can learn extra here

Emmanuel Macron has examined optimistic for Covid-19Credit score: AFP or licensors

‘NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE’ THAT VITAMIN D PREVENTS OR TREATS COVID-19

There’s “not sufficient proof” in the mean time to assist taking vitamin D to stop or deal with Covid-19, main organisations have mentioned.

The Nationwide Institute for Well being and Care Excellence, Public Well being England, and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Vitamin have been requested by Well being Secretary Matt Hancock to hold out a speedy evaluate of present proof after some research prompt vitamin D could also be efficient towards coronavirus.

However Good, which led the speedy evaluate, mentioned extra analysis is required, significantly of high-quality randomised managed trials.

CHRISTMAS ADVICE

IT WOULD BE ‘INHUMANE’ TO CANCEL CHRISTMAS

Boris Johnson insisted it could be “inhumane” to cancel Christmas — however urged individuals to make use of “private duty” to guard aged and weak family members.

He added: “A smaller Christmas goes to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.

“So, have yourselves a merry little Christmas and I’m afraid this year, I do mean little.”

Boris Johnson urged individuals to make use of ‘private duty’Credit score: PA:Press Affiliation

BRITS TOLD TO EAT TURKEY OUTSIDE AT CHRISTMAS

Brits have been urged by boffins to chop again on Christmas plans – and have fun exterior if granny is becoming a member of.

The crackers recommendation may see households consuming turkey dinners out within the chilly of their gardens.

The recommendation says: “Should you do kind a Christmas bubble, then be particularly cautious to look at the steerage – meet outdoor the place doable, wash your palms often, hold a distance from these you don’t dwell with, and, if you happen to meet indoors, guarantee good air flow by letting in contemporary air.”

LATEST FIGURES

ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE TESTING POSITIVE LEFT WITH LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS

One in 5 individuals testing optimistic for Covid are left with devastating long-term signs, official figures reveal.

A fifth nonetheless report points after 5 weeks and one in ten after 12 weeks – greater than twice earlier estimates.

Round 186,000 individuals in England have been residing with issues lasting this lengthy within the week beginning November 22.

11,000 POSITIVE TESTS ‘MISSED’ IN WALES LAST WEEK

The 11,000 optimistic Covid exams being missed in Wales from the previous week “raises questions” and “rocks belief”, Plaid Cymru well being spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth has mentioned.

He advised BBC Radio 4’s Right this moment programme: “I believe we’re heading right into a interval that’s about as tight as it will probably get ranging from Christmas Eve.

“I need to say when the First Minister introduced yesterday that from the twenty eighth there can be a tightening of restrictions, and I may see the figures as they have been, one puzzled why not do issues now by way of stepping up assist for areas most closely affected, however this does put a brand new slant on it once more.”

PRITI PATEL: ‘NOTHING HAS CHANGED’ FOR POLICING OVER CHRISTMAS

Residence Secretary Priti Patel mentioned “nothing has modified” with how coronavirus legal guidelines will likely be policed over Christmas.

Requested if the Prime Minister ought to have applied stricter legal guidelines quite than the steerage for the festive interval, Ms Patel advised BBC Breakfast: “We’re not right here to criminalise individuals round Christmas, which is why we now have clear steerage round three households over that Christmas interval of 5 days.

“I look again all through this 12 months … and have a look at how the British public have been unimaginable and the best way by which they comply with steerage, comply with legal guidelines as properly, but in addition adopted the practices of social distancing.”

SACKED FOR BEING SAFE

A Tesco shelf stacker claims he was sacked as a result of he needed to self-isolate.

Dominic Clark was told by Test and Trace he should stay at home for two weeks after a member of his household tested positive for coronavirus.

The 24-year-old had solely labored three shifts on the Tesco Additional in Romford, Essex, on a short lived festive contract.

He mentioned he referred to as his boss to inform them of the worrying information.

However Dominic was then shocked to get a letter lower than every week later confirming his contract was being terminated.

STARK STATS…

The most recent knowledge exhibits 255 (81%) of the 315 native areas in England have seen an increase in case charges and 60 (19%) have seen a fall.

The Authorities mentioned an extra 612 individuals had died inside 28 days of testing optimistic for Covid-19 within the UK as of Wednesday, whereas an extra 25,161 lab-confirmed circumstances of coronavirus have been reported.

Greater than 34 million individuals, or 61% of England’s inhabitants, are at the moment residing below the strictest Covid measures after London and elements of Essex and Hertfordshire moved into Tier 3 on Wednesday.

DON’T DROP TIERS

NHS bosses have urged the Authorities to not drop any Tier 3 areas in crunch talks.

Thousands and thousands in England face an agonising wait to be uncover whether or not they are going to be plunged into the hardest restrictions this morning.

It comes as Christmas guidelines have been tightened yesterday as circumstances rise and fears of a 3rd wave are heightened.

TURKEY AL FRESCO

Brits have been advised to eat their turkey exterior to remain protected this Christmas.

Covid guidelines will nonetheless be lifted for 5 days so three households can bubble up.

Boris Johnson said he would not be scrapping the rules he introduced final month permitting households to fulfill up.

However he prompt they now hold celebrations small and quick.

THIRD OF HOUSE SALES WILL ‘FALL THROUGH UNLESS RISHI SUNAK EXTENDS STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY BEYOND MARCH’

Rishi Sunak was warned {that a} third of home gross sales will collapse altogether if he refuses to increase the stamp responsibility vacation past March.

The present moratorium on stamp responsibility, which makes all gross sales over £500,000 tax free – has led to a boom in Brits looking to buy homes.

The stamp responsibility vacation is because of expire on March 31 however the Chancellor is going through rising calls to increase it amid the continued financial uncertainty brought on by Covid.

Consultants worry that with the property trade unable to course of the transactions quick sufficient, gross sales nonetheless within the pipeline early subsequent 12 months won’t have sufficient time to finish earlier than the stamp responsibility vacation ends in March.