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| Coronavirus: MPs to debate emergency legislation | Coronavirus: MPs to debate emergency legislation |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will be debated by MPs later. | Emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will be debated by MPs later. |
| Under the proposals, airports could shut and police would be able to force people with virus symptoms to isolate. | Under the proposals, airports could shut and police would be able to force people with virus symptoms to isolate. |
| The powers, which would be time-limited for two years, are expected to be approved by MPs. | The powers, which would be time-limited for two years, are expected to be approved by MPs. |
| It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned new, stricter anti-virus measures could soon be introduced. | It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned new, stricter anti-virus measures could soon be introduced. |
| According to the latest figures, the UK's death toll has reached 281 - including a person aged 18 with an underlying health condition - and there are 5,683 confirmed cases. | |
| The government's emergency legislation - set out last week - includes enabling recently retired NHS staff to return to work without any negative impact on their pensions, fast-tracking funeral arrangements, and allowing more court hearings to take place by phone or video. | The government's emergency legislation - set out last week - includes enabling recently retired NHS staff to return to work without any negative impact on their pensions, fast-tracking funeral arrangements, and allowing more court hearings to take place by phone or video. |
| Most controversially, the bill gives unprecedented powers to law enforcement agencies to detain people if they show symptoms of the virus and put them in appropriate isolation facilities if necessary. | Most controversially, the bill gives unprecedented powers to law enforcement agencies to detain people if they show symptoms of the virus and put them in appropriate isolation facilities if necessary. |
| The bill says this will help to "safeguard essential services" that could be at risk during the outbreak. | The bill says this will help to "safeguard essential services" that could be at risk during the outbreak. |
| The debate comes after Mr Johnson warned on Sunday that the government would "very actively" consider tougher anti-virus measures over the next 24 hours. | The debate comes after Mr Johnson warned on Sunday that the government would "very actively" consider tougher anti-virus measures over the next 24 hours. |
| Mr Johnson's warning followed pictures of people across parts UK visiting parks and open spaces in large numbers over the weekend. | Mr Johnson's warning followed pictures of people across parts UK visiting parks and open spaces in large numbers over the weekend. |
| Speaking on Sunday at Downing Street's daily news conference, Mr Johnson said everyone had to act "responsibly" and practice social distancing. | Speaking on Sunday at Downing Street's daily news conference, Mr Johnson said everyone had to act "responsibly" and practice social distancing. |
| "If we can't do that then, yup, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring forward tougher measures." | "If we can't do that then, yup, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring forward tougher measures." |
| And on Sunday evening, the government issued a further statement, clarifying its advice that "people should avoid travelling unless it is essential". | And on Sunday evening, the government issued a further statement, clarifying its advice that "people should avoid travelling unless it is essential". |
| Essential travel, the Department for Health and Social Care said, "does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays". | Essential travel, the Department for Health and Social Care said, "does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays". |
| The increase of 48 UK virus deaths since Saturday includes 37 in England, seven in Wales, three in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland. | The increase of 48 UK virus deaths since Saturday includes 37 in England, seven in Wales, three in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland. |
| The NHS said all those who died in England in the past day were in vulnerable groups including with underlying health issues. | The NHS said all those who died in England in the past day were in vulnerable groups including with underlying health issues. |
| In other developments, the NHS in England announced it had identified 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who should now stay at home for 12 weeks. | In other developments, the NHS in England announced it had identified 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who should now stay at home for 12 weeks. |
| Those at-risk people include those with specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions and people who have received organ transplants. | Those at-risk people include those with specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions and people who have received organ transplants. |
| The government is setting up "hubs" around the country to arrange deliveries of groceries and medicines to them. | The government is setting up "hubs" around the country to arrange deliveries of groceries and medicines to them. |
| Councils, pharmacists and members of the Armed Forces will help this work and there will be opportunities for members of the public to volunteer. | Councils, pharmacists and members of the Armed Forces will help this work and there will be opportunities for members of the public to volunteer. |
| The PM told those people to "shield" themselves, adding it "will do more than any other single measure that we are setting out to save life". | The PM told those people to "shield" themselves, adding it "will do more than any other single measure that we are setting out to save life". |
| In other key developments: | In other key developments: |