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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson holds daily briefing as confirmed cases pass 5,000
UK coronavirus live: Johnson threatens stricter measures if people flout social distancing rules amid 281 new deaths
(32 minutes later)
Fears people flouting social distancing rules will exacerbate crisis; shops under pressure to close; rough sleepers race against time to self-isolate
Boris Johnson holds daily briefing; shops under pressure to close; rough sleepers race against time to self-isolate
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced new shielding measures, which will involve up to 1.5 million people who are most at risk.
Boris Johnson finishes up today’s press conference by once again pleading with the public to observe social distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The NHS will contact by those at higher risk - asking people to not leave home for 12 weeks.
Johnson thanks the public for their efforts and underlines importance of staying two metres apart when outside, as well as staying at home. Says that the faster we do this, the faster we will beat the epidemic.
Others in the household won’t be required to follow same measures - just social distancing measures. Carers can still visit.
Jenrick says parcels will be free initially. Says if over time we can tailor it to individuals needs, this may change.
For those without a network, government will be setting up a network of local ‘hub’s - medicine and food to be distributed by local authorities. Parcels will be left on doorstep - emergency services and armed forces will support this effort.
Dr Harries says small gatherings are perhaps riskier if people are close together. She says: “At the end of the day it relies on the public to make it work”.
The government is now taking special steps to protect the particularly vulnerable - 1.5 million people in all.
When asked by a reporter when the government would consider using the police to enforce social distancing, Boris Johnson seemed quite incredulous.
“This shielding will do more than any other single measure or save lives.”
“Bring in the police!?” he responded.
He also reiterated that schools are closed tomorrow - expect for the children of key workers - and that people should take social distancing seriously.
However, he reiterated that if people continue to ignore advice on staying apart, tougher measures would have be introduced - but still no detail on what these tougher measures could be.
“Don’t think that fresh air in its self automatically provides some sort of immunity.”
Dr Harries says over 70s identified by the initiative should not go out. Others should try to stay at home and follow social distancing. Stresses that we don’t want to increase mental health problems by “such a strict imposition” and says outdoor environment is safer than an indoor one (because virus doesn’t last as long).
He said people should still stay two metres apart and follow social distancing advice. More measures will be implemented if necessary.
Jenrick says if people have been missed, they can contact their hub or GP.
Boris Johnson starts his daily press thanking NHS staff, social care workers and the general public for their cooperation.
Answering a question about curfews and the police, Johnson reiterates importance of responsibly going out while observing social distancing. “If people won’t do it, we’ll bring in tougher measures.”
“I want to thank everyone who is being forced to do something different today. Everyone who didn;t visit their mum for Mother’s Day, but facetimed or rang or Skyped their mother today, thank you for your restraint and for what you did.
Dr Harries says the the 1.5 million have been identified through four routes: through a digital route, clinical referencing groups, trust and medical royal colleges, and adds that if you have not had contact you can raise it with your GP.
“Everyone who closed a restaurant or pub or bar, who would have could have done fantastic business on a fay like today,thank you for your sacrifice, I know how tough that must be
Dr Harries says letter will direct people to NHS mental wellbeing site as well as to hubs. She says that local authorities know their communities well and will be able to support individuals.
Johnson is stressing the importance of following social distancing advice - even to those who think they are “invulnerable” and are putting others at risk.
“The answer is always to be guided by the science,” stressing the importance of timing for a lockdown. “You have to wait until the right moment to do it.” The PM says shielding has been brought in at the moment of maximum exposure.
It’s Clea Skopeliti here, taking over from Jessica as the latest rise in UK coronavirus figures are announced.
Boris Johnson said that, although there is a good supply at the moment, the country is going to need far, far more ventilators and a huge effort is underway to get these.
There have been 281 deaths in the UK - an increase of 47.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said places such as London are starting to see “very significant” rises in cases.
The UK total number of confirmed cases is now at 5,700.
In England, only 12% of adult critical care beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients at the moment, but that will change drastically throughout the epidemic, Harries added.
The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 281, the government said - an increase of 48.
There are now 5,683 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK. This is a rise of 665 on Saturday.
It’s Clea Skopeliti here, taking over from Jessica as the latest rise in UK coronavirus figures are announced.
A paramedic has described being evicted from his home because his landlady was concerned that he could spread Covid-19 at the property.
Joseph Hoar, a paramedic for South Western ambulance service, tweeted on Saturday night that he had been asked to leave his home within 24 hours because the owner was “super nervous about having someone from the NHS here”.
“It’s only a matter of time before you are in contact with the virus,” a screenshot of the WhatsApp message said. “Can you organise an Airbnb and collect your stuff tomorrow. Sorry I normally would never do this but it’s not worth the risk.”
Sarah-Jane Marsh, the CEO of Birmingham women’s and children’s NHS foundation trust, said that “nurses have been evicted from shared accommodation because people don’t want to live with them right now.”
The homeless charity Shelter also said it had received calls for help from tenants threatened with eviction because of the coronavirus crisis, including from an NHS worker.
Waterstones chief executive James Daunt has said all stores will close from Monday evening after staff raised concerns about the risk to their health by coming into contact with customers with no protection.
In an internal email, seen by the Guardian, Daunt said:
Daunt added that staff had been told only to continue to work if they were willing to, but “we must be sure that everyone is truly willing... it is only by closing we can be absolutely sure of this.”
The majority of staff will be placed on furlough, but a skeleton staff will be retained to manage deliveries, while the company will now shift to bolstering its online service.
Earlier, one Waterstones employee said: “We all feel at risk. Most of us have someone in our homes that is at high risk but on our pay we cannot afford to leave.
“There have been times where we’ve had to go off the shop floor to have a panic attack.”
From next week, those who are especially vulnerable to coronavirus will be able to register for government support.
People who have a health condition which makes them extremely vulnerable will be able to receive help, for instance in getting essential supplies.
The service is due to go live next week, and people will be able to register online.
NHS England is sending out letters to vulnerable people with certain health conditions next week to advise them on measures to protect themselves, including avoiding face-to-face contact for 12 weeks.
Police in Scotland have used emergency powers to close a number of pubs after they “recklessly” flouted the ban on bars and clubs from remaining open, and warned they could now lose their licence
Malcolm Graham, a deputy chief constable, said police were visiting those bars today to enforce the closure order announced on Friday night after pubs in Glasgow, Greenock and Kilmarnock were among those reportedly staying open over the weekend.
One publican in Greenock was quoted saying he would continue serving until forced to stop.
Graham said the police would impose emergency closure orders, which last 24 hours per order but can be extended, and report those who ignored the orders to local licensing boards. The force was also poised to use new emergency powers being introduced next week, as soon as they could
“I am aware that a small number of public houses are intent on defying this instruction and have indicated that they will remain open until legally ordered to close,” Graham said.
