Covid UK information – MILLIONS pressured into new tier 3 lockdown in Surrey, Bucks and Beds however Bristol goes DOWN a tier

DOWNING ST DOESN’T RULE OUT ANOTHER LOCKDOWN

Downing Avenue at the moment declined to rule out the potential of a 3rd nationwide lockdown in England.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman stated: “We have been away from the rationale behind the tiered regional method and that is what we have set out for the time.

“That’s designed to scale back the speed of transmission and scale back the R price in areas of excessive prevalence.

“As we have stated all through we are going to clearly preserve the newest knowledge and the newest tendencies underneath overview.”

WUHAN NIGHTCLUBS REOPEN

Nightclubs in China’s former coronavirus epicentre have been heaving with partying kids after venues reopened for the primary time.

Photos show nightlife in the once stricken Hubei province city is now again in full swing — whereas the West scraps Christmas celebration plans. 

Remarkably it has not reported a brand new domestically transmitted case of the illness since Could 10 after lifting one of many strictest lockdowns on the earth seven months in the past. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES IN NORTHERN IRELAND?

Well being Minister Robin Swann is because of convey proposals for additional Covid-19 restrictions to the Stormont Government on Thursday, however it’s not thought any new laws can be introduced in earlier than the Christmas break.

First Minister Arlene Foster stated individuals have to take “all and each precaution” once they come collectively at Christmas, and he or she stated she couldn’t rule out additional restrictions within the days afterwards.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO IN WALES AT CHRISTMAS?

First Minister Mark Drakeford first modified his recommendation for the Welsh public so “solely two households ought to come collectively to kind an unique Christmas bubble” over the five-day interval.

A Welsh Authorities spokesman later stated this variation could be put into legislation.

The spokesman stated: “It makes it simpler, so we do not have the place the place the legislation says one factor and the steering says one thing else.”

Mr Drakeford stated: “The less individuals we combine with in our properties, the much less likelihood we’ve of catching or spreading the virus.

“None of us needs to be ailing this Christmas. And we do not need to give coronavirus to our shut household or mates.”

WHAT ABOUT SCOTLAND?

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stated this week that her “robust advice” is for individuals to not combine households over the festive interval to make sure what’s “unequivocally the most secure method to spend Christmas”.

Ms Sturgeon urged individuals to think about suspending their celebrations, or to fulfill with others solely outdoor. She stated whether it is “important” that gatherings happen inside, they need to be for in the future solely with no in a single day stays.

“The fact is that this Christmas merely cannot be regular. However we’ve each motive to hope that subsequent 12 months’s can be rather more regular,” she stated.

Scottish First Minister Nicola SturgeonCredit score: Getty – Pool

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

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

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

WHAT IS THE LAW FOR CHRISTMAS?

Laws at present permit 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 stated it should do issues otherwise and legislate to cap bubbles at two households.

Politicians in England and Scotland have stated whereas the principles will stay the identical, they’ve modified their recommendation to suggest limiting social contacts as a lot as potential.

TORY MP ATTENDS ‘XMAS PARTY’ WITH 27 GUESTS

A Tory MP attended a “Christmas get together” with 27 visitors 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 stated: “I’d 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 operate it was completely Covid-compliant.”

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Tobias Ellwood gave a speech on the occasion with 27 visitorsCredit 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 stated it should scrap the restrict at occasions together with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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

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

DISCUSSIONS ONGOING ABOUT SCHOOLS REOPENING IN JANUARY

Discussions are underneath means about how pupils will return to highschool at first of January, a high official on the Division for Training has stated.

Susan Acland-Hood, everlasting secretary on the Division for Training, has urged 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 stated: “There are conversations happening about precisely how mother and father and pupils will return initially of January, however I am afraid I can not communicate to the committee about that this morning.”

NHS IN WALES ‘UNDER PRESSURE’

First Minister Mark Drakeford addressed the “stress” on Wales’s NHS and folks being pressured to attend for lengthy intervals of time in ambulances.

He advised BBC Breakfast: “Wales is ready, however what you’re seeing in these very tough footage is the affect that coronavirus is having on the flexibility of the well being service to do all the opposite issues we needed to do.”

CARE HOME LOCKED PPE AWAY FROM STAFF

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

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

Others stated that they had been shopping for their very own PPE in a bid to maintain themselves and residents secure through the Covid pandemic.

The report contains 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 price to switch it.”

BORIS JOHNSON WISHES MACRON A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Boris Johnson has wished Emmanuel Macron a speedy restoration after the French president examined constructive 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 accordance with 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 stated they may proceed flying.

They stated in an announcement: “We’re conscious of stories studies concerning Tenerife closing its borders to holidaymakers. We are able to guarantee prospects that we’ve obtained affirmation from the Canaries Authorities that this isn’t the case. 

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

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KATE GARRAWAY THANKS STAFF AT WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL

Kate Garraway advised employees on the Whittington Hospital: “It is so nice to speak to you as a result of I hadn’t realised that you simply’d really cared for Derek when he was on the Whittington, which is when he first obtained 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 thus 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 constructive for the coronavirus.

An announcement stated he had taken a take a look at after exhibiting the preliminary signs of the virus.

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

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

There may be “not sufficient proof” for the time being to assist taking vitamin D to forestall or deal with Covid-19, main organisations have stated.

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 fast overview of present proof after some research urged vitamin D could also be efficient in opposition to coronavirus.

However Good, which led the fast overview, stated 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 rejoice 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: “In case you do kind a Christmas bubble, then be particularly cautious to look at the steering – meet outdoor the place potential, wash your arms repeatedly, preserve a distance from these you don’t reside with, and, when you 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 constructive 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 constructive Covid assessments being missed in Wales from the previous week “raises questions” and “rocks belief”, Plaid Cymru well being spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth has stated.

He advised BBC Radio 4’s As we speak programme: “I feel we’re heading right into a interval that’s about as tight as it may get ranging from Christmas Eve.

“I have to say when the First Minister introduced yesterday that from the twenty eighth there could be a tightening of restrictions, and I may see the figures as they have been, one questioned 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

Dwelling Secretary Priti Patel stated “nothing has modified” with how coronavirus legal guidelines can be policed over Christmas.

Requested if the Prime Minister ought to have carried out stricter legal guidelines fairly than the steering for the festive interval, Ms Patel advised BBC Breakfast: “We’re not right here to criminalise individuals round Christmas, which is why we’ve clear steering 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 unbelievable and the best way wherein they observe steering, observe legal guidelines as effectively, but additionally adopted the practices of social distancing.”