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/23/uk-coronavirus-live-news-latest-boris-johnson-minister-condemns-people-ignoring-two-metre-distance-rule-in-parks-as-very-selfish

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
UK coronavirus live: calls for tougher distancing measures as death toll rises in Wales and Scotland UK coronavirus live: calls for tougher distancing measures as death toll rises in Wales and Scotland
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of all the UK developments in the coronavirus crisis. First patients enter UK treatment trial; Sturgeon says too many non-essential businesses still open; Raab would take over from Johnson if PM gets sickRolling coverage of all the UK developments in the coronavirus crisis. First patients enter UK treatment trial; Sturgeon says too many non-essential businesses still open; Raab would take over from Johnson if PM gets sick
In the Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, has just made a statement to MPs about changes to the way parliament will work. All over the rest of the UK ordinary life is being radically transformed, and that is now true of parliament too. Here are the main points.
Voting will now take 30 to 40 minutes per division, Hoyle said. Normally a single division takes 15 minutes as MPs troop through the lobbies. Now they are going to go through in smaller groups, to limit social contact, meaning each division will take more than twice as long.
The sale of alcohol in Commons and restaurants has been suspended, Hoyle said.
Attendance in the Commons chamber is expected to be more limited, Hoyle said. This afternoon there have been far fewer MPs in the chamber than normal, and generally MPs are sitting apart from each other.
Video conference facilities are going to be upgraded, to allow select committees to do more of their work remotely. (See 2.51pm.)
Hoyle said he wanted MPs to “think twice” before tabling parliamentary questions (questions that ministers have to answer - like freedom of information requests). He said these generate considerable work for officials, who are currently engaged on urgent coronavirus business. MPs should continue to table questions if they are urgent, he said. But he questioned whether they needed to table 60 at a time (as some MPs do).
According to the National Association of Head Teachers, “the vast majority” of parents have followed official advice and kept their children away from school. Paul Whiteman, the NAHT general secretary, said:According to the National Association of Head Teachers, “the vast majority” of parents have followed official advice and kept their children away from school. Paul Whiteman, the NAHT general secretary, said:
But Whiteman said schools needed clearer guidance on safety.But Whiteman said schools needed clearer guidance on safety.
At a briefing at Stormont Robin Swann, health minister in the Northern Ireland executive, said that the death toll from coronavirus in Northern Ireland could quickly dwarf the death toll from the Troubles (around 3,500). He was also very critical of those ignoring social distancing guidance. He said:At a briefing at Stormont Robin Swann, health minister in the Northern Ireland executive, said that the death toll from coronavirus in Northern Ireland could quickly dwarf the death toll from the Troubles (around 3,500). He was also very critical of those ignoring social distancing guidance. He said:
Swann also said the public should expect the introduction of “draconian” restrictions on movement in Northern Ireland within days.Swann also said the public should expect the introduction of “draconian” restrictions on movement in Northern Ireland within days.
Failure to social distance is not only “foolish” and “selfish”, but “insulting to health and care staff”, the UK’s largest union, Unison, said.Failure to social distance is not only “foolish” and “selfish”, but “insulting to health and care staff”, the UK’s largest union, Unison, said.
Responding to reports that some attractions over the weekend were busier than on a bank holiday, the general secretary, Dave Prentis, said:Responding to reports that some attractions over the weekend were busier than on a bank holiday, the general secretary, Dave Prentis, said:
The House of Commons procedure committee is proposing changes to parliamentary rules that would allow select committees to take evidence and agree reports via video-conferencing, or other remote methods. It has proposed the measures in a letter (pdf) to Mark Spencer, the chief whip. Karen Bradley, the committee chair, said:The House of Commons procedure committee is proposing changes to parliamentary rules that would allow select committees to take evidence and agree reports via video-conferencing, or other remote methods. It has proposed the measures in a letter (pdf) to Mark Spencer, the chief whip. Karen Bradley, the committee chair, said:
The Mountain Rescue service in England and Wales has called on people to stop heading to the hills and taking “unnecessary risks” after national parks were inundated on the weekend.The Mountain Rescue service in England and Wales has called on people to stop heading to the hills and taking “unnecessary risks” after national parks were inundated on the weekend.
Teams helped search for a five-year-old child missing near waterfalls in south Wales, rescued climbers from Surrey who got into difficulty on Snowden and recovered a man from Kinder Scout in the Peak District who had suffered a heart attack.Teams helped search for a five-year-old child missing near waterfalls in south Wales, rescued climbers from Surrey who got into difficulty on Snowden and recovered a man from Kinder Scout in the Peak District who had suffered a heart attack.
Some rescues were hampered after car parks overflowed and vehicles blocked vital access routes.Some rescues were hampered after car parks overflowed and vehicles blocked vital access routes.
Mike France, the chief executive officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said it had been a “crazy weekend”. He warned that walkers, cyclists and climbers getting into difficulty might face long waits to be rescued and urged them to stay at home as rescue teams – all comprising volunteers – were depleted as members went into self-isolation.Mike France, the chief executive officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said it had been a “crazy weekend”. He warned that walkers, cyclists and climbers getting into difficulty might face long waits to be rescued and urged them to stay at home as rescue teams – all comprising volunteers – were depleted as members went into self-isolation.
He said:He said:
You can follow our Commons live feed as the government puts in emergency legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic.You can follow our Commons live feed as the government puts in emergency legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic.
A reader has been in touch to say he has just had an email from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency saying that MOT tests are still going ahead, even though the government is trying to minimise social contact and coronavirus transmission risks. He does not think that’s wise, and he thinks it is inconsistent, given that MOT tests for lorries have been suspended. But when he raised this with the DVSA, an official replied:A reader has been in touch to say he has just had an email from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency saying that MOT tests are still going ahead, even though the government is trying to minimise social contact and coronavirus transmission risks. He does not think that’s wise, and he thinks it is inconsistent, given that MOT tests for lorries have been suspended. But when he raised this with the DVSA, an official replied:
Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in 20 new positive cases for Covid-19, bringing the total number to 148.Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in 20 new positive cases for Covid-19, bringing the total number to 148.
In an article for the Guardian, Tim Cook, an intensive care unit (ICU) doctor, says that as hospitals become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, medics will have to take decisions about who gets care and who doesn’t. Here’s an extract.In an article for the Guardian, Tim Cook, an intensive care unit (ICU) doctor, says that as hospitals become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, medics will have to take decisions about who gets care and who doesn’t. Here’s an extract.
And here is the full article.And here is the full article.
Greater Manchester police (GMP) is the latest organisation to warn that it would not answer Freedom of Information (FOI) requests during the coronavirus outbreak, after the Local Government Association (LGA) argued councils should not have to comply with FOI regulation mid-crisis.Greater Manchester police (GMP) is the latest organisation to warn that it would not answer Freedom of Information (FOI) requests during the coronavirus outbreak, after the Local Government Association (LGA) argued councils should not have to comply with FOI regulation mid-crisis.
On Monday the LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, said the government should temporarily “relax” the requirements on councils regarding GDPR data protection regulations and FOI.GMP put out a message on Monday saying:On Monday the LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, said the government should temporarily “relax” the requirements on councils regarding GDPR data protection regulations and FOI.GMP put out a message on Monday saying:
The first UK patients have been enrolled in a clinical trial for possible Covid-19 treatments, PA reports.The first UK patients have been enrolled in a clinical trial for possible Covid-19 treatments, PA reports.
Researchers from the University of Oxford have launched a new clinical trial to test the effects of potential drug treatments for patients admitted to hospital with the virus.Researchers from the University of Oxford have launched a new clinical trial to test the effects of potential drug treatments for patients admitted to hospital with the virus.
There are currently no specific treatments for the coronavirus and it is possible some existing drugs used for other conditions may have some benefits.There are currently no specific treatments for the coronavirus and it is possible some existing drugs used for other conditions may have some benefits.
Scientists say the randomised evaluation of Covid-19 therapy (recovery) trial will provide doctors and the health service with information they need to determine which treatments should be used.Scientists say the randomised evaluation of Covid-19 therapy (recovery) trial will provide doctors and the health service with information they need to determine which treatments should be used.
The treatments initially included in the study have been recommended by an expert panel that advises the chief medical officer in England.The treatments initially included in the study have been recommended by an expert panel that advises the chief medical officer in England.
They are lopinavir-ritonavir, which is normally used to treat HIV, and the steroid dexamethasone, which is used in a wide range of conditions to reduce inflammation. The side-effects and safety of both drugs are already well known. Other potential treatments will also be assessed by the trial in the future.They are lopinavir-ritonavir, which is normally used to treat HIV, and the steroid dexamethasone, which is used in a wide range of conditions to reduce inflammation. The side-effects and safety of both drugs are already well known. Other potential treatments will also be assessed by the trial in the future.
Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health in the Nuffield department of medicine, University of Oxford, and chief investigator for the trial, said:Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health in the Nuffield department of medicine, University of Oxford, and chief investigator for the trial, said:
Adult inpatients who have tested positive for Covid-19 in NHS hospitals, and not been excluded for medical reasons, will be offered the chance to take part in the trial.Adult inpatients who have tested positive for Covid-19 in NHS hospitals, and not been excluded for medical reasons, will be offered the chance to take part in the trial.
Participants will be allocated at random by computer to receive one of the two drugs being studied or no additional medication.Participants will be allocated at random by computer to receive one of the two drugs being studied or no additional medication.
This will enable researchers to see whether any of the possible new treatments are more or less effective than those currently used for patients with the virus.This will enable researchers to see whether any of the possible new treatments are more or less effective than those currently used for patients with the virus.
Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty and NHS England medical director Prof Stephen Powis have written to NHS trusts in England asking them to fully support the new trial.Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty and NHS England medical director Prof Stephen Powis have written to NHS trusts in England asking them to fully support the new trial.
The Methodist church is closing all its church buildings for the foreseeable future.The Methodist church is closing all its church buildings for the foreseeable future.
The only exception will be for churches offering services such as food banks, soup kitchens and night shelters, but these must be carried out closely within government guidelines.The only exception will be for churches offering services such as food banks, soup kitchens and night shelters, but these must be carried out closely within government guidelines.
The church suspended services last week with some churches still opening for quiet prayer and reflection. “This must now also be suspended,” it said.The church suspended services last week with some churches still opening for quiet prayer and reflection. “This must now also be suspended,” it said.
The move comes a day after the Anglican bishops of London, Southwark, Chelmsford and Rochester ordered the closure of church buildings in the capital, which until this weekend were open for private prayer and reflection.The move comes a day after the Anglican bishops of London, Southwark, Chelmsford and Rochester ordered the closure of church buildings in the capital, which until this weekend were open for private prayer and reflection.
“In doing this we demonstrate how important physical distancing is in saving lives,” they said in a statement.“In doing this we demonstrate how important physical distancing is in saving lives,” they said in a statement.
Play areas and sports facilities in parks in the London borough of Lambeth are now closed after people failed to adhere to government guidance about social distancing, the local council has said.Play areas and sports facilities in parks in the London borough of Lambeth are now closed after people failed to adhere to government guidance about social distancing, the local council has said.
A consultant from an NHS hospital within the M25 (he did not want his hospital named) told the Guardian that his hospital was coping at present but he was anticipating a “proper crisis” by Saturday.A consultant from an NHS hospital within the M25 (he did not want his hospital named) told the Guardian that his hospital was coping at present but he was anticipating a “proper crisis” by Saturday.
While hospitals are increasing bed numbers and ventilators are on the way, he said staffing was key and so personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff and testing was vital. He said:While hospitals are increasing bed numbers and ventilators are on the way, he said staffing was key and so personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff and testing was vital. He said:
He said one department at his hospital ordered alcoholic hand gel but only got a tenth of the amount they had requested. He said trusts were largely doing what they could but added:He said one department at his hospital ordered alcoholic hand gel but only got a tenth of the amount they had requested. He said trusts were largely doing what they could but added:
The consultant said that by distributing the correct specification of PPE among all healthcare workers, countries such as Singapore and South Korea had reduced spread. By contrast, he said:The consultant said that by distributing the correct specification of PPE among all healthcare workers, countries such as Singapore and South Korea had reduced spread. By contrast, he said:
On testing, he said:On testing, he said:
Six ambulances have had their tyres deliberately punctured in Kent, in what must be one of the more depressing acts of mindlessness during the outbreak.The South East Coast ambulance service said the vehicles were targeted overnight in Thanet, adding the strain of its staff, who were already under “significant pressure”.The MP Tracey Crouch described whoever did it as “an utter scroat”:Six ambulances have had their tyres deliberately punctured in Kent, in what must be one of the more depressing acts of mindlessness during the outbreak.The South East Coast ambulance service said the vehicles were targeted overnight in Thanet, adding the strain of its staff, who were already under “significant pressure”.The MP Tracey Crouch described whoever did it as “an utter scroat”: