This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/mar/20/uk-coronavirus-live-confusion-over-key-workers-list-as-schools-close

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
UK coronavirus live: government discussing new London clampdown on pubs, cinemas and gyms UK coronavirus live: government discussing new London clampdown on pubs, cinemas and gyms
(32 minutes later)
All the day’s developments as schools across the UK close their doorsAll the day’s developments as schools across the UK close their doors
Government was today actively discussing a new clampdown on London with pubs, cinemas and gyms being ordered to close to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The leader of Cornwall council, Julian German, and the Cornish MP Steve Double have asked people not to travel to the far south west of England.
An announcement could be made in hours, with concern among crisis planners rising that too many people are continuing to ignore social distancing advice - making the spread of the virus more likely. Politicians and doctors fear an influx of people to Cornwall from London and other cities could put pressure on the health service in the area – and spread the virus.
In an open letter they said:
Asda has announced plans to hire more than 5,000 temporary employees who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
The supermarket is working with more than 20 companies nationally to bring in staff from industries including food and travel.
Chief executive Roger Burnley said: “During these difficult times everyone has to work together to help people most affected by Covid-19 and Asda is pleased to play its part.
“That is why today we have committed to hiring more than 5,000 employees who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and have been left with deep concerns about their household budgets.”
Earlier, Lidl announced plans to recruit 2,500 workers on four-week contracts to help keep up with high demand in stores as customers continue clearing shelves over the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s some more on the publication of the scientific evidence that has been supporting the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the guidance laid out by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies SAGE, is that social distancing measures may be needed for most of the year.
“It was agreed that a policy of alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures could plausibly be effective at keeping the number of critical care cases within capacity. These would need to be in place for at least most of a year,” the report said. Meanwhile, a potential drop in police numbers due to workplace absences could lead to an increase in “opportunistic crime”, although “large scale rioting is unlikely”.
The guidance also sets out that government messaging to the public during this time should “promote a sense of collectivism” in order to rule out “increasing tension between different groups”.
The government was today actively discussing a new clampdown on London with pubs, cinemas and gyms possibly being ordered to close to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An announcement could be made within hours, after crisis planners became increasingly concerned that too many people were continuing to ignore social distancing advice, making the spread of the virus more likely.
The British capital is the target of tougher measures because it has the highest rate of infection and deaths so far. Debate within government is continuing about whether non-essential shops - that is those not selling food or medical supplies - would be included in the ban.The British capital is the target of tougher measures because it has the highest rate of infection and deaths so far. Debate within government is continuing about whether non-essential shops - that is those not selling food or medical supplies - would be included in the ban.
The Government had been considering a formal ban on Thursday and was braced to announce it - but pulled back.Among senior government figures there is a deep reluctance to issue banning orders. The government had been considering a formal ban on Thursday and was braced to announce it - but pulled back. Among senior government figures there is a deep reluctance to issue banning orders.
Officials believe they would have the power to order bans even without special emergency laws drafted specifically to battle the pandemic. Officials believe they would have the power to order bans even without special emergency laws to address the pandemic.
Crisis planners and government advisers have been looking at various data, such as transport usage in the capital and hospital admissions, to assess if the pleas made on Monday for people to stay home was being heeded. Crisis planners and government advisers have been looking at a range of data, such as transport usage in the capital and hospital admissions, to assess if the pleas made on Monday for people to stay home were being heeded.
Continuing anecdotal evidence of people, especially younger Londoners, continuing to go to pubs despite repeated pleas has led to government believing it may have no choice but to issue the ban, which may be announced within hours. Continuing anecdotal evidence of people, especially younger Londoners, continuing to go to pubs despite repeated pleas has led to the government believing it may have no choice but to issue the ban.
Giving her daily briefing, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said that it was not helpful to use words like “lockdown” which only confused the public, but adds that “it should not be assumed that what we are asking people to do now will not become stricter in the future.” Giving her daily briefing, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said that it was not helpful to use words like “lockdown”, which only confused the public, but added that “it should not be assumed that what we are asking people to do now will not become stricter in the future”.
There are 56 new cases overnight but no change in the number of deaths. There are 56 new cases in Scotland overnight but no change in the number of deaths.
Asked about Boris Johnson’s pledge to beat the virus within twelve weeks, Sturgeon said she was hopeful that progress would be made if the public followed the guidance properly, but said: “I cannot stand here and say with certainty when we will be in the position to lift these measures.”Asked about Boris Johnson’s pledge to beat the virus within twelve weeks, Sturgeon said she was hopeful that progress would be made if the public followed the guidance properly, but said: “I cannot stand here and say with certainty when we will be in the position to lift these measures.”
Sturgeon also said she “unreservedly condemned” the case of the Aviemore hotel which sacked and evicted staff members yesterday.Sturgeon also said she “unreservedly condemned” the case of the Aviemore hotel which sacked and evicted staff members yesterday.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood said that the country was now witnessing a “rapid escalation” in cases with sustained community transfer.Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood said that the country was now witnessing a “rapid escalation” in cases with sustained community transfer.
She said that the situation was not the same around the UK, with numbers and community transmissions concentrated around London, and Scotland’s rates much slower, She said the situation was not the same around the UK, with numbers and community transmissions concentrated around London, and Scotland’s rates much slower,
“If we can suppress the spread [through these measures] then perhaps we can slow that community transfer and slow that explosion of cases that has been seen in other countries and not yet in London but may happen there.”“If we can suppress the spread [through these measures] then perhaps we can slow that community transfer and slow that explosion of cases that has been seen in other countries and not yet in London but may happen there.”
The number of Scots who have been diagnosed with coronavirus has grown from 56 on Thursday to 322. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the new total during a briefing on the outbreak. The number of Scots who have been diagnosed with coronavirus has grown by 56 since yesterday to 322. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the new total during a briefing on the outbreak.
Schools across Scotland will close today as part of an effort to combat the spread of the disease.Schools across Scotland will close today as part of an effort to combat the spread of the disease.
I’m Amy Walker and I’ll be running the live blog over lunchtime.I’m Amy Walker and I’ll be running the live blog over lunchtime.
Agencies recruiting seasonal workers to pick the fruit and vegetables that will help feed the nation have issued an urgent call for British people to sign up to work.Agencies recruiting seasonal workers to pick the fruit and vegetables that will help feed the nation have issued an urgent call for British people to sign up to work.
Normally, 99% of the 80,000 workers come from abroad, mostly from Eastern Europe. But travel restrictions and anxieties about the coronavirus pandemic have led many workers to cancel. Normally, 99% of the 80,000 workers come from abroad, mostly from eastern Europe. But travel restrictions and anxieties about the coronavirus pandemic have led many workers to cancel.
The Hops agency said it has already had 3000 applications since Wednesday and its website is struggling to cope with the interest. The soft fruit-picking season is due to get fully underway in April, with vegetable picking to follow after that. The Hops agency said it has already had 3,000 applications since Wednesday and its website is struggling to cope with the interest. The soft-fruit picking season is due to get fully under way in April, with vegetable picking to follow after that.
Hops operations director Sarah Boparan said:Hops operations director Sarah Boparan said:
Workers are paid at least the minimum wage and Hops said all the farms they work with are following the correct procedures around safe working conditions during the coronavirus outbreak.Workers are paid at least the minimum wage and Hops said all the farms they work with are following the correct procedures around safe working conditions during the coronavirus outbreak.
A spokesman for the National Farmers Union said:A spokesman for the National Farmers Union said:
Recruitment of seasonal workers has been impacted by Brexit, with farmers forced to leave tonnes of crops to rot last year as it struggled to find staff. Recruitment of seasonal workers has been affected by Brexit, with farmers forced to leave tonnes of crops to rot last year as it struggled to find staff.
The Landworkers’ Alliance, a union representing more than 1000 small and medium-scale farmers and landworkers across the UK, said measures must be put in place to ensure the resilience of the domestic food supply in the months ahead. The Landworkers’ Alliance, a union representing more than 1,000 small- and medium-scale farmers and landworkers across the UK, said measures must be put in place to ensure the resilience of the domestic food supply in the months ahead.
Jyoti Fernandes, at the Landworkers’ Alliance, said:Jyoti Fernandes, at the Landworkers’ Alliance, said:
National Express is advising passengers to check online before they travel as it introduces an extensive reduction to its timetable with effect from 00:01 Tuesday 24 March 2020.National Express is advising passengers to check online before they travel as it introduces an extensive reduction to its timetable with effect from 00:01 Tuesday 24 March 2020.
This follows the news yesterday that the coach operator will be temporarily running limited services across its scheduled national network in response to the impact of the coronavirus.This follows the news yesterday that the coach operator will be temporarily running limited services across its scheduled national network in response to the impact of the coronavirus.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, said:Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, said:
Full details on their website.Full details on their website.
A Scottish hotel has sacked more than a dozen members of staff over the coronavirus outbreak making them homeless, our Scotland correspondent, Libby Brooks, reports. A Scottish hotel has sacked more than a dozen members of staff over the coronavirus outbreak, making them homeless, our Scotland correspondent, Libby Brooks, reports.
The workers at the Coylumbridge hotel near Aviemore received a letter yesterday informing them management was “taking the latest government advice” and that staff employment had been terminated, with those who live at the hotel complex asked to leave the premises immediately.The workers at the Coylumbridge hotel near Aviemore received a letter yesterday informing them management was “taking the latest government advice” and that staff employment had been terminated, with those who live at the hotel complex asked to leave the premises immediately.
The full story is here.The full story is here.
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katherine Viner, has written to readers about how we aim to cover the coronavirus crisis, emphasising the value of expertise, scientific knowledge and careful judgment in our reporting.The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katherine Viner, has written to readers about how we aim to cover the coronavirus crisis, emphasising the value of expertise, scientific knowledge and careful judgment in our reporting.
She writes:She writes:
Supermarket Lidl has announced plans to recruit 2,500 workers on four-week contracts to help keep up with high demand in stores as customers continue clearing shelves over the coronavirus outbreak.Supermarket Lidl has announced plans to recruit 2,500 workers on four-week contracts to help keep up with high demand in stores as customers continue clearing shelves over the coronavirus outbreak.
The grocer said recruits can start immediately and will be paid at least £9.30 an hour, adding “the new hires will be responsible for working together to keep the store clean, tidy and the shelves well stocked so that customers can get the products they need”.The grocer said recruits can start immediately and will be paid at least £9.30 an hour, adding “the new hires will be responsible for working together to keep the store clean, tidy and the shelves well stocked so that customers can get the products they need”.
Police chiefs have today asked employers to give special volunteer constables paid leave during the coronavirus crisis. Police chiefs have today asked employers to give workers who volunteer as special constables paid leave during the coronavirus crisis.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council say the move will boost the number of volunteers available, with police ranks expected to be depleted by illness and self-isolation in the coming months.The National Police Chiefs’ Council say the move will boost the number of volunteers available, with police ranks expected to be depleted by illness and self-isolation in the coming months.
Special constables have the full powers of a paid officer and there are 10,000 of them in England and Wales. Police expect to be placed under “great strain” during the national crisis caused by the pandemic.Special constables have the full powers of a paid officer and there are 10,000 of them in England and Wales. Police expect to be placed under “great strain” during the national crisis caused by the pandemic.
Other measures police chiefs are considering include making it easier for retired officers to rejoin. Martin Hewitt, chair of the NPCC, said:Other measures police chiefs are considering include making it easier for retired officers to rejoin. Martin Hewitt, chair of the NPCC, said:
Among forces are considering to manage up to 25% of officers being absent at any one time, include extending shifts to 12 hours. Forces are considering how to manage up to 25% of officers being absent at any one time, include extending shifts to 12 hours.
The government has made public the scientific evidence from SAGE that has been supporting its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 patients are being turned away by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust as demand for lifesaving treatment surges, the Telegraph is reporting (paywall).
The news comes as the death toll in London rose more sharply than the rest of the country, with figures revealing yesterday that four in 10 coronavirus-related deaths so far in the UK have been in London.
More on this story to come.
First details of the cuts to train services show around 50% of the timetable is expected to be cut initially, although decisions are being left to individual operators.
All train companies nationwide are expected to have new timetables published for next week available on National Rail by Sunday lunchtime, 22 March.
Among the first to announce new emergency timetables this morning were the big London commuter franchises.
South Western Railway will cut services on a few branches entirely. Its last trains will depart earlier from London Waterloo, and many major commuter lines will have only half-hour or hourly services, particularly outside peak hours.
Southeastern said it would attempt to keep all stations open for now and run as early and late as possible to support key workers.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which has had extensive experience in slashing timetables at short notice for strikes and staff shortages, will be announcing timetable changes on Sunday for Monday.
GTR, which operates Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services, will make further cuts to start from the following Monday, 30 March.
Steve White, chief operating officer, said GTR was doing its utmost to keep an an essential service running for key workers. He said:
Its Gatwick Express trains will be slashed, with air passenger numbers at less than 10% of normal levels, and the airport set to reduce its operating capacity by one third to cut costs.
Network Rail has said retailers in its stations will not have to pay rent for the first quarter, as it attempts to help them survive as footfall vanishes.
Farmers and farmworkers have been included on a list of key workers whose children can still go to school during the coronavirus crisis.
According to Farmers Weekly: “Some pointed out the irony of farmers and farmworkers being catapulted in just two weeks from ‘unskilled workers’ in the government’s post-Brexit immigration list to ‘key workers’ in the response to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Refuse collectors and other waste and recycling employees are also on the list.
Jacob Hayler, at the Environmental Services Association, said: “We are pleased to see the government acknowledge the essential role of recycling and waste operatives during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The competition watchdog has said it will clamp down on retailers using the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to exploit customers.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the outbreak has prompted concerns that people could be exploited by companies “charging excessive prices or making misleading claims about their products”.
It said it has already contacted traders and platforms over excessive pricing of hand sanitiser as part of its efforts.
The CMA has now launched a taskforce to tackle businesses looking to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to take advantage of customers.
Related to this story:
A letter to the chancellor calling for the introduction of a universal basic income to deal with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak has been signed by 150 MPs.
The Labour MP for Enfield, Feryal Clark, tweeted a copy of the letter, which said the crisis “must act as a catalyst for innovative and bold solutions”.
The letter reads:
The letter followed a similar call from almost 500 experts, organised by Dr Neil Howard of the University of Bath.
One of London’s most famous live music venues which has hosted David Bowie, Adele and Amy Winehouse is to reopen on Monday as a hub for the local coronavirus response. The Union Chapel in Islington has cancelled forthcoming performances but will become the base for the local Covid-19 task force supporting rough sleepers. It will host a food bank and an initiative to proactively contact the most vulnerable people who may be in self-isloation. Staff including sound and lighting engineers will be asked if they want to take roles helping handle and distribute donations of food, but particularly hand sanitiser and soap which they plan to distribute to rough sleepers.
The venue, which doubles as a non-conformist church, will also periodically open bathrooms to allow rough sleepers to wash themselves regularly to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. The food and soap collection and distribution is being operated with Islington Council, the Museum of Homelessness, and Streets Kitchen, while the venue will work with the charity Help on Your Doorstep to contact the vulnerable in isolation.
It will also continue to operate a night shelter for rough sleepers, providing hot meals and a place to wash clothes, as well as offering advice.
Michael Chandler, the chief executive, said:
The British Fashion Council, the not-for-profit organisation that promotes British design globally, has put a call out asking those with “production capacity” to help with shortages.
Saying in a post on Instagram that “in times of need, the fashion industry can be of service,” they are working with both the Department for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) and the Department for health and social care (DHSC) to manufacture essential products such as facemasks. The call follows some designers already taking matters into their own hands: Phoebe English, a London-based designer known for her focus on sustainability, announced earlier this week she would be turning her sewing machines to making face masks for medical professionals. While Kerby Jean-Raymond, the New York-based designer of Pyer Moss, has made his head office into donation centre.
A third person has died in Wales after contracting coronavirus, the chief medical officer for the country has confirmed.
They were aged 71 and had underlying health conditions, and were being treated at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
The Police Federation has called for officers in Northern Ireland to be tested for Covid-19 amid fears the spread of the virus could result in a skeleton workforce.
The representative body for Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers has also called for personal protective equipment to be made available for officers, including masks, gloves and scenes-of-crime white suits, as well as “spit and bite guards”.
There are currently around 200 coronavirus tests being conducted each day in the region. Only people being admitted to hospital and those in care settings are being routinely tested.
Plans were announced yesterday to increase that number to 800 within the next 10 days and also to widen the scope of the testing to cover certain groups of healthcare workers.
Police Federation chairman Mark Lindsay stressed the importance of testing for PSNI officers, saying it will allow many more to remain at work: