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UK coronavirus live: calls for tougher distancing measures amid concerns over people ignoring two-metre rule in parks 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 crisisRolling coverage of all the UK developments in the coronavirus crisis
A further four people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Scotland, taking the total number of deaths there to 14, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
In total 499 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, an increase of 83 from Sunday.
Sturgeon said the figures are likely to be an under-estimate.
Global coronavirus death toll passes 15,000
The number of people across the world who have died after contracting coronavirus now stands at 15,308, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has been collating global data. The worldwide number of confirmed cases currently stands at 349,211.
In Spain, one of Europe’s worst hit countries after Italy, the coronavirus death toll in Spain has reached 2,182, adding 462 fatalities overnight. The death toll in Iran from the new coronavirus has increased to 1,812, with 127 new deaths in the past 24 hours.
Upwards curve in infections ‘may be flattening’ in Germany
There were signs that the exponential upwards curve in new coronavirus infections in Germany is levelling off for the first time due to the strict social distancing measures in force, the head of the country’s public health institute has said. However, Lothar Wieler, the president of the Robert Koch Institute, urged caution, saying many health authorities had not yet submitted their data from the weekend. “I will only be able to confirm this trend definitively on Wednesday,” he said. But he said he remained optimistic.
Postponement of Tokyo Olympics under consideration
The head of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) said on Monday he had to consider postponing the Games among his options amid increasing calls from committees around the world to delay the Olympics due to the coronavirus outbreak. “From the athletes’ point of view of safety and security, we have to come to a stage where we cannot help but consider things including postponement,” JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita told reporters on Monday. However, he said too long a delay would be a burden to athletes given the possibility of having to qualify again, for example.
Britain warns tougher measures on movement may be on way
Britain’s health secretary has accused those still socialising of “very selfish” behaviour that risks the lives of NHS workers and others, as he signalled tougher restrictions on movement are likely to be on the way. The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said stricter rules such as curfews or further closures could come into place “very soon” and urged people still socialising or going to holiday locations to “stop it, and if you don’t stop it then we’re going to have to take more measures.”
WHSmith has insisted it is an “essential retailer” akin to supermarkets and pharmacies as it vowed to keep open its 1,200 stores in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown.The high-street newsagent has prompted anger among some of its staff who said they had not been provided protective equipment, such as hand sanitiser or gloves, and had only stopped accepting cash on Monday.The Guardian understands that several staff at a WHSmith branch in Hertfordshire refused to go into work on Monday morning due to coronavirus concerns, while the parent of an employee at another branch said her son “came home almost in tears” on Sunday as stores remained busy in spite of the UK semi-lockdown.
The 227-year-old firm, which operates more than 600 high street stores and more than 600 airport branches, is one of a plummeting number of retailers choosing to stay open amid the outbreak. Nando’s, Costa Coffee and Subway all announced temporary closures on Monday, while Waterstones will shut its 280 branches at the end of the day.In a letter to staff last week, the WHSmith chief executive, Carl Cowling, wrote that the company would be “positioning ourselves to government as an ‘essential retailer’”. He added:
Cowling said the company’s priority was the health and wellbeing of its employees and that it was monitoring the health of staff. On Monday WHSmith stopped accepting cash and put in place social distancing measures at tills.
A staff notice issued on Monday said hand sanitiser and protective gloves should be available for all stores. However, WHSmith employees who spoke to the Guardian said they felt their health was being put at risk.“I was shocked and appalled by how busy our store was on Saturday and people’s disregard for safety,” said one member of staff.
A spokeswoman for WHSmith said:
The Guardian wants to tell the stories of Britons who have contracted and recovered from coronavirus here in the UK, to inform other readers of what they may face and to shed light on the health service’s ability to help individuals fighting the disease.We are particularly interested in hearing from those who were either asymptomatic or suffered light symptoms, or those whose ordeal was more serious and included a spell in hospital. So if you have been diagnosed with coronavirus and have shaken it off, or are on the mend, please get in contact Damien Gayle, a Guardian national news reporter, on email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via his Twitter profile, @damiengayle.You can also get in touch via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions.
A further four patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total to 16, Public Health Wales said.A further four patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total to 16, Public Health Wales said.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said they had 71 new cases testing positive for Covid-19, which brings the total number of confirmed cases in Wales to 418, though the true number of cases is likely to be higher.
The Welsh government is writing to all GPs and vulnerable individuals in Wales with details of the latest shielding guidance, he said.
The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. For the first time it took place entirely by conference call. And it was embargoed until it finished.The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. For the first time it took place entirely by conference call. And it was embargoed until it finished.
Here is one of the more interesting lines.Here is one of the more interesting lines.
Dominic Raab will take charge of the government if the PM falls ill from coronavirus, the prime minister’s spokesman said. The spokesman stressed that Boris Johnson was well. But he said that Raab, the foreign secretary, would take over if Johnson could not carry out his duties because Raab is also first secretary of state.Dominic Raab will take charge of the government if the PM falls ill from coronavirus, the prime minister’s spokesman said. The spokesman stressed that Boris Johnson was well. But he said that Raab, the foreign secretary, would take over if Johnson could not carry out his duties because Raab is also first secretary of state.
I will post a full summary shortly.I will post a full summary shortly.
The Labour party is calling for stricter enforcement of social distancing. In an official statement issued on behalf of the party, echoing what Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the leadership contest has also said (see 10.58am), Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said:The Labour party is calling for stricter enforcement of social distancing. In an official statement issued on behalf of the party, echoing what Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the leadership contest has also said (see 10.58am), Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said:
The congestion charge and the ultra low emissions zone charge have been suspended as of today in London to help health workers, emergency service and other key workers move around the capital.The congestion charge and the ultra low emissions zone charge have been suspended as of today in London to help health workers, emergency service and other key workers move around the capital.
Transport for London said however the public should not exploit this as a licence to drive around London for free.Transport for London said however the public should not exploit this as a licence to drive around London for free.
Chris Macleod, customer director at TfL said: Chris Macleod, customer director at TfL, said:
The Scottish health secretary has had to tell off one of her own MSPs after he tweeted that he would be keeping his office open to conduct surgeries with constituents.The Scottish health secretary has had to tell off one of her own MSPs after he tweeted that he would be keeping his office open to conduct surgeries with constituents.
Jeane Freeman retweeted John Mason with the comment: “John please don’t do this. Follow the clear health guidance – you are neither an exception nor exceptional.”Jeane Freeman retweeted John Mason with the comment: “John please don’t do this. Follow the clear health guidance – you are neither an exception nor exceptional.”
The UK’s Freemasons are taking the unusual step of inviting non-members to participate in a “virtual” toast at 9pm tonight, to remember loved ones who might be self-isolating as well as frontline NHS workers.The UK’s Freemasons are taking the unusual step of inviting non-members to participate in a “virtual” toast at 9pm tonight, to remember loved ones who might be self-isolating as well as frontline NHS workers.
The 200,000-strong organisation traditionally toasts “absent brethren” to remember those who are unable to attend their meetings in person at the dinner that takes place afterwards.The 200,000-strong organisation traditionally toasts “absent brethren” to remember those who are unable to attend their meetings in person at the dinner that takes place afterwards.
The organisation is adapting its usual 9pm toast and inviting everyone to join in using #TimetoToast to toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS’.The organisation is adapting its usual 9pm toast and inviting everyone to join in using #TimetoToast to toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS’.
Dr David Staples, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, said:Dr David Staples, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, said:
A message for people to stay at home from Theo Usherwood, political editor of LBC, who has spent the last few weeks recovering after being diagnosed with pneumonia and was suspected of having Covid-19. It reads:A message for people to stay at home from Theo Usherwood, political editor of LBC, who has spent the last few weeks recovering after being diagnosed with pneumonia and was suspected of having Covid-19. It reads:
Morrisons has reduced its fuel prices by 12p per litre for petrol and 8p per litre for diesel, PA reports. Morrisons has reduced its fuel prices by 12p per litre for petrol and 8p per litre for diesel.
The supermarket described the move as “the biggest fuel price reduction in recent times”.The supermarket described the move as “the biggest fuel price reduction in recent times”.
It will be effective on all Morrisons fuel forecourts today.
Ashley Myers, head of fuel for Morrisons, said:
For a typical 50-litre fill up, motorist will save £6 on unleaded and £4 on diesel.
Our consumer affairs correspondent, Rebecca Smithers, writes:
Responding to the fuel cuts announced by supermarket chain Morrisons, Simon Williams of the RAC motoring group said:
But Williams warned that there was “a darker side” to the price cuts.
Jeremy Corbyn’s son is self-isolating in line with government advice for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, Sky News understands.Jeremy Corbyn’s son is self-isolating in line with government advice for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, Sky News understands.
Sources told Sky that Seb Corbyn – who works for the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell – has not recently been in contact with McDonnell or his father.Sources told Sky that Seb Corbyn – who works for the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell – has not recently been in contact with McDonnell or his father.
A powerful video from frontline medics from Belfast Health and Social care trust urging people to stay at home has gone viral, racking up more than 1.4m views since it was uploaded last night.A powerful video from frontline medics from Belfast Health and Social care trust urging people to stay at home has gone viral, racking up more than 1.4m views since it was uploaded last night.
One of the 20 healthcare workers (who stand two metres apart from each other in the video), a respiratory consultant called Angela, says:One of the 20 healthcare workers (who stand two metres apart from each other in the video), a respiratory consultant called Angela, says:
Later today MPs will debate all stages of the coronavirus emergency powers bill. It gives extensive powers to ministers – there is a good summary here – and in a normal circumstances it would be hugely controversial. Instead it is expected to be passed with cross-party support.Later today MPs will debate all stages of the coronavirus emergency powers bill. It gives extensive powers to ministers – there is a good summary here – and in a normal circumstances it would be hugely controversial. Instead it is expected to be passed with cross-party support.
Controversy has focused on the sunset clause in the bill, which says its provisions will lapse after two years. Opposition MPs, as well as the Tory libertarian David Davis, have tabled amendments saying the sunset clause should kick in after six months, or a year, not two years. According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, the government is going to address these concerns by including a six-month renewal clause in the legislation.Controversy has focused on the sunset clause in the bill, which says its provisions will lapse after two years. Opposition MPs, as well as the Tory libertarian David Davis, have tabled amendments saying the sunset clause should kick in after six months, or a year, not two years. According to the BBC’s Norman Smith, the government is going to address these concerns by including a six-month renewal clause in the legislation.