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/world/live/2020/apr/30/uk-coronavirus-live-boris-johnson-latest-updates
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 22 | Version 23 |
|---|---|
| UK coronavirus news: Britain unites again to applaud key workers on Covid frontline - as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Official UK death toll reaches 26,771; ‘We are on a downward slope,’ says PM, who will unveil plan to lead Britain out of lockdown next week; 81,000 tests carried out on Wednesday | Official UK death toll reaches 26,771; ‘We are on a downward slope,’ says PM, who will unveil plan to lead Britain out of lockdown next week; 81,000 tests carried out on Wednesday |
| That’s it from me, Nadeem Badshah. | |
| To continue following our coronavirus coverage, you can check out our global blog - | |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak heralds a day of brighter developments. | |
| From the man of the moment, Captain Tom Moore, marking his 100th birthday. | From the man of the moment, Captain Tom Moore, marking his 100th birthday. |
| SNP leader Nicola sturgeon takes part in the nationwide applause. | SNP leader Nicola sturgeon takes part in the nationwide applause. |
| Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson’s fiancee who gave birth to a boy yesterday, has thanked the NHS and paid tribute to the fund-raising efforts of Captain Tom Moore. | Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson’s fiancee who gave birth to a boy yesterday, has thanked the NHS and paid tribute to the fund-raising efforts of Captain Tom Moore. |
| England’s men’s and women’s football teams have given their thanks to health service and key workers. | England’s men’s and women’s football teams have given their thanks to health service and key workers. |
| Labour leader Keir Starmer has tweeted this tribute. | Labour leader Keir Starmer has tweeted this tribute. |
| London mayor Sadiq Khan has posted a montage of tributes. | London mayor Sadiq Khan has posted a montage of tributes. |
| The Labour party has posted this message on Twitter. | The Labour party has posted this message on Twitter. |
| Boris Johnson was outside 10 Downing Street to applaud NHS and key workers on his first week back to work after recovering from Covid-19. | Boris Johnson was outside 10 Downing Street to applaud NHS and key workers on his first week back to work after recovering from Covid-19. |
| Thousands of people across the UK are now applauding the NHS and key carers from their gardens, porches and drives with some holding placards and banging utensils. | Thousands of people across the UK are now applauding the NHS and key carers from their gardens, porches and drives with some holding placards and banging utensils. |
| The Shard is among the buildings which have turned blue to pay homage. | The Shard is among the buildings which have turned blue to pay homage. |
| In ten minutes time, the UK will unite once again to applaud the NHS and key workers at 20:00 BST (19:00 GMT). | In ten minutes time, the UK will unite once again to applaud the NHS and key workers at 20:00 BST (19:00 GMT). |
| It is part of the Clap For Carers initiative which is now in its sixth week. | It is part of the Clap For Carers initiative which is now in its sixth week. |
| Police have issued a warning to Londoners ahead of the nationwide applause to remain in their homes. | Police have issued a warning to Londoners ahead of the nationwide applause to remain in their homes. |
| Anyone gathering at the city’s landmarks will be told to go home, the Metropolitan Police said. | Anyone gathering at the city’s landmarks will be told to go home, the Metropolitan Police said. |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Members of the public who are not away from their homes for one of the reasons outlined in the government’s emergency legislation should expect to be asked to return home.” | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Members of the public who are not away from their homes for one of the reasons outlined in the government’s emergency legislation should expect to be asked to return home.” |
| Hello all, we will be putting the blog on hold until 7.50pm (GMT). Below is a summary of the developments of the day. If you have any news tips or thoughts, please do share them with me. | Hello all, we will be putting the blog on hold until 7.50pm (GMT). Below is a summary of the developments of the day. If you have any news tips or thoughts, please do share them with me. |
| Boris Johnson said the UK did the “right thing at the right time”. Johnson says people should understand that the collating of data internationally is bedevilled with difficulties. The only real comparison will be possible at the end of this, when you look at total excess deaths. He said the UK avoided an “uncontrollable and catastrophic” epidemic that could have caused 500,000 deaths and that we were now “past the peak”. | Boris Johnson said the UK did the “right thing at the right time”. Johnson says people should understand that the collating of data internationally is bedevilled with difficulties. The only real comparison will be possible at the end of this, when you look at total excess deaths. He said the UK avoided an “uncontrollable and catastrophic” epidemic that could have caused 500,000 deaths and that we were now “past the peak”. |
| Following the lead of various world cities including Bogotá and Berlin, Manchester has announced plans to close part of one of its main streets to cars and widen the pavements along others in order to help people walk and cycle safely while maintaining physical distancing — and move towards a car-free future. | Following the lead of various world cities including Bogotá and Berlin, Manchester has announced plans to close part of one of its main streets to cars and widen the pavements along others in order to help people walk and cycle safely while maintaining physical distancing — and move towards a car-free future. |
| There have now been 26,771 coronavirus deaths in the whole of the UK in all settings, an increase of 674 on yesterday. These figures are just for people who tested positive for coronavirus. They do not include people who may have died from coronavirus who were not tested. | There have now been 26,771 coronavirus deaths in the whole of the UK in all settings, an increase of 674 on yesterday. These figures are just for people who tested positive for coronavirus. They do not include people who may have died from coronavirus who were not tested. |
| The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued a stern warning that GCSE and A-level grade assessments this summer should not unfairly penalise children from minority ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as disabled pupils and those with special educational needs. | The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued a stern warning that GCSE and A-level grade assessments this summer should not unfairly penalise children from minority ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as disabled pupils and those with special educational needs. |
| More than 9,000 fines have been handed to people in England and Wales for allegedly flouting coronavirus lockdown laws, according to new figures. As PA Media reports, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 8,877 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) had been recorded by forces in England between March 27 and April 27, while 299 were issued in Wales over the same period. Some 397 were for repeat offenders, with one person fined six times. | More than 9,000 fines have been handed to people in England and Wales for allegedly flouting coronavirus lockdown laws, according to new figures. As PA Media reports, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 8,877 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) had been recorded by forces in England between March 27 and April 27, while 299 were issued in Wales over the same period. Some 397 were for repeat offenders, with one person fined six times. |
| Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s press conference. | Here are the main points from Boris Johnson’s press conference. |
| Boris Johnson warned Britons that they could face an “even bigger” coronavirus outbreak if the government rushed or mishandled the relaxation of the lockdown. He made the point in an opening speech which, while not giving any firm details of the government’s plans, effectively paved the way for an announcement next week that seems likely to involve the lockdown being extended yet again in most significant respects. He made the point with a slightly confused Alpine metaphor. He said. | Boris Johnson warned Britons that they could face an “even bigger” coronavirus outbreak if the government rushed or mishandled the relaxation of the lockdown. He made the point in an opening speech which, while not giving any firm details of the government’s plans, effectively paved the way for an announcement next week that seems likely to involve the lockdown being extended yet again in most significant respects. He made the point with a slightly confused Alpine metaphor. He said. |
| Johnson then showed a video explaining the R number (the reproduction number - the rate at which a virus spreads) and why it was so important to keep this below 1. It was very hard to see the video as anything other than an attempt to explain the stringent social distancing measures will have to stay in place for a considerable time to come. | Johnson then showed a video explaining the R number (the reproduction number - the rate at which a virus spreads) and why it was so important to keep this below 1. It was very hard to see the video as anything other than an attempt to explain the stringent social distancing measures will have to stay in place for a considerable time to come. |
| He said that the government would publish “a comprehensive plan” next week explaining how it would be possible to move away from the lockdown. The Scottish and Welsh governments have already published their own version, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has repeatedly called for a UK version. Johnson said: | He said that the government would publish “a comprehensive plan” next week explaining how it would be possible to move away from the lockdown. The Scottish and Welsh governments have already published their own version, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has repeatedly called for a UK version. Johnson said: |
| But, in response to a question from a member of the public (Michelle from Cornwall), Johnson also said that that the plan would not commit the goverment to relaxing particularly restrictions by particular dates. That would depend on the data, he said. Michelle wanted to know when holidaymakers would be able to return to Cornwall. Johnson was unable to give her any firm indication at all. | But, in response to a question from a member of the public (Michelle from Cornwall), Johnson also said that that the plan would not commit the goverment to relaxing particularly restrictions by particular dates. That would depend on the data, he said. Michelle wanted to know when holidaymakers would be able to return to Cornwall. Johnson was unable to give her any firm indication at all. |
| Johnson said the government may find “ingenious ways” of suppressing coronavirus. He said: | Johnson said the government may find “ingenious ways” of suppressing coronavirus. He said: |
| Johnson did not elaborate on what he meant, but he may have given a clue in his answer to a question on face coverings. | Johnson did not elaborate on what he meant, but he may have given a clue in his answer to a question on face coverings. |
| Johnson backed the wearing of face coverings by members of the public in some circumstances. He said. | Johnson backed the wearing of face coverings by members of the public in some circumstances. He said. |
| The Scottish government has already backed the wearing of face coverings on public transport and in certain shops. Johnson’s words suggest the UK government is going to issue very similar advice. | The Scottish government has already backed the wearing of face coverings on public transport and in certain shops. Johnson’s words suggest the UK government is going to issue very similar advice. |
| Johnson said the UK has passed the peak of the epidemic. He said: | Johnson said the UK has passed the peak of the epidemic. He said: |
| That was less significant than it sounded, because it has been clear for some time now that the UK has passed the peak. This week scientists said the peak for coronavirus deaths in English hospitals was passed on 8 April - 22 days ago. | That was less significant than it sounded, because it has been clear for some time now that the UK has passed the peak. This week scientists said the peak for coronavirus deaths in English hospitals was passed on 8 April - 22 days ago. |
| Johnson claimed that he did “the right thing at the right time” when it came to imposing the lockdown. He said: | Johnson claimed that he did “the right thing at the right time” when it came to imposing the lockdown. He said: |
| This is is not a view shared my most members of the public; a poll today suggests two thirds of people think the lockdown was imposed too late. (See 1.01pm.) | This is is not a view shared my most members of the public; a poll today suggests two thirds of people think the lockdown was imposed too late. (See 1.01pm.) |
| Johnson claimed that it would be best to wait until all-cause excess death figures are available for all countries before making a judgment as to which countries have been the best and the worst at fighting coronavirus. This is an argument also endorsed by government scientists, but Johnson sounded more defensive today than on Monday, when in his speech outside No 10 he was talking about the UK’s “apparent success”. As this chart illustrates, in terms of total coronavirus deaths, the UK now has the third most in the world, behind only the US and Italy. | Johnson claimed that it would be best to wait until all-cause excess death figures are available for all countries before making a judgment as to which countries have been the best and the worst at fighting coronavirus. This is an argument also endorsed by government scientists, but Johnson sounded more defensive today than on Monday, when in his speech outside No 10 he was talking about the UK’s “apparent success”. As this chart illustrates, in terms of total coronavirus deaths, the UK now has the third most in the world, behind only the US and Italy. |
| He claimed that he would not resort to austerity to manage the increased debt generated by this crisis. Asked if there would be a new era of austerity, he replied: | He claimed that he would not resort to austerity to manage the increased debt generated by this crisis. Asked if there would be a new era of austerity, he replied: |
| This might turn out to be more of an aspiration, or an insight into Johnson’s linguistic preferences, than a guide to his likely economic policy. As explained earlier, this crisis is set to leave a £200bn hole in the national finances this year. (See 4.20pm.) | This might turn out to be more of an aspiration, or an insight into Johnson’s linguistic preferences, than a guide to his likely economic policy. As explained earlier, this crisis is set to leave a £200bn hole in the national finances this year. (See 4.20pm.) |
| Johnson announced that a further 674 people have died from coronavirus, taking the UK total to 26,771. This counts coronavirus deaths in all settings. But it only includes people who have tested positive for the virus, and it is thought that the true death toll is much higher. | Johnson announced that a further 674 people have died from coronavirus, taking the UK total to 26,771. This counts coronavirus deaths in all settings. But it only includes people who have tested positive for the virus, and it is thought that the true death toll is much higher. |
| He said 81,611 coronavirus tests were carried out yesterday. The government has set a target of getting testing up to 100,000 by today. | He said 81,611 coronavirus tests were carried out yesterday. The government has set a target of getting testing up to 100,000 by today. |
| The Department of Health has clarified the total number of UK coronavirus deaths is 26,771, and not 26,711 as prime minister Boris Johnson said in his press briefing earlier. | The Department of Health has clarified the total number of UK coronavirus deaths is 26,771, and not 26,711 as prime minister Boris Johnson said in his press briefing earlier. |