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UK coronavirus live: Johnson tells cabinet they will adopt 'maximum caution' as they move to end lockdown UK coronavirus live: Johnson says 'maximum caution' needed as part of lockdown easing; Notting Hill carnival cancelled
(32 minutes later)
ONS says risk of death significantly higher among some ethnic groups than others; Sturgeon will consider allowing more outdoor exercise; Johnson to give speech on lockdown plans at 7pm on SundayONS says risk of death significantly higher among some ethnic groups than others; Sturgeon will consider allowing more outdoor exercise; Johnson to give speech on lockdown plans at 7pm on Sunday
As reported earlier, No 10 seems concerned that what Boris Johnson says on Sunday night about the lifting of the lockdown will not match the expectations generated by some of today’s front-page headlines. (See 1.36pm.) Here are some examples:
We’ve already posted the main line from the Downing Street lobby briefing. (See 1.36pm.) Here is a summary of all the lines that emerged.
The prime minister’s spokesman claimed that the 100,000 tests per day target had been a success even though it has not been met for four days in a row. He said the target “served a very significant purpose in increasing capacity”.
The spokesman said the PM stood by the four-nation approach to coronavirus measures. He said:
The spokesman did not challenge what Nicola Sturgeon said at her press conference this lunchtime, about there being no case for relaxing the lockdown on Monday (see 12.50pm), although he did not respond to her words in detail. He said Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, would speak on this at the press conference at 5pm. The other people at the press conference will be Sir Ian Diamond, chief statistician at the ONS, and Dr Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical officer for England.
The spokesman did not deny reports saying sunbathing and picnicking will be among the first activities to be allowed as the lockdown starts to get lifted. Asked about these reports, he did not say they were wrong, and he reminded reporters that Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, has said the risk of transmission is much lower outdoors. Asked if the government was telling people not to sunbathe this weekend, the spokesman declined to say that was the message. But he did say people should continue to observe social distancing.
The spokesman said the government planned to publish the conclusions of its study into why coronavirus is more deadly for different groups of people at the end of this month. Asked for a response to today’s ONS report about coronavirus and ethnicity, the spokesman said:
The spokesman rejected a claim from the European commission that the UK does not want the trade talks with the EU to succeed. The EU trade commissioner, Phil Hogan, told RTE today:
The spokesman said that the government was trying to get a Turkish supplier to provide adequate replacements for a consignment of PPE gowns that have turned out to be sub-standard. As Sky reports, 400,000 gowns flown in from Turkey are not being used because their quality is too poor. The spokesman said the government had paid a deposit for them. He said it was in discussion with the supplier about getting proper replacements. If not, it would seek a refund, he said.
The spokesman confirmed that Johnson will give a speech at 7pm on Sunday announcing the steps that will be taken to ease the lockdown. It is also expected that Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting earlier that day. But it seems likely that Johnson will not publish the document setting out details of the government’s plans until Monday, when he will make a statement to the House of Commons.
The spokesman said the government had not yet abandoned its “stay at home” slogan. That advice still applies, the spokesman said. But he would not confirm that it would be dropped on Sunday, as has been widely reported. See, for example, the Telegraph’s splash.
The spokesman said claims that the government has already announced that the lockdown will be extended for at least three weeks – circulating on social media this morning (see below) – were based on an Instagram advert from the last time the lockdown was extended.
Johnson has been speaking to the Westminster leaders of the opposition parties this lunchtime, the spokesman said.
Johnson will be doing Clap for Carers tonight, the spokesman said. But he told reporters not to expect the PM’s new baby to be on display while the PM is clapping.
Notting Hill carnival has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event’s board has announced.
For the first time in more than 50 years, the August bank holiday event on the streets of west London will not take place, but the board said they were working on holding a celebration in an alternative form on the same weekend.
It is the latest in a string of summer calendar events to have been postponed as a result of Covid-19, including Glastonbury and the Tokyo Olympics.
In a statement on Twitter, Notting Hill carnival said cancelling the event was “the only safe option” and “everyone’s health has to come first”. They added:
Last year more than a million people were expected to attend the festival, which has been held since 1966.
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised the importance of a cross-UK consensus on leaving lockdown and called on Boris Johnson to involve the devolved nations and opposition parties in “meaningful” discussion.
Speaking to Scottish lobby reporters as he took part in a series of Zoom events with “not just the party faithful”, he said:
Asked about Nicola Sturgeon’s warning at her own media briefing this lunchtime that it would be a “potentially catastrophic mistake” to move too quickly (see 12.50pm.), Starmer said:
Six weeks into the UK’s Covid-19 crisis, the latest instalment of Anywhere but Westminster asks how a city keeps going when everything has ground to a halt.Six weeks into the UK’s Covid-19 crisis, the latest instalment of Anywhere but Westminster asks how a city keeps going when everything has ground to a halt.
The team virtually visits Plymouth, population 250,000, to see how the services that are vital to a city and its inhabitants are scrabbling to stay afloat. The fishing industry is in meltdown, temporary housing is oversubscribed and nurses facilitate goodbyes over Zoom. Most of all, people are asking: what on earth happens after this?The team virtually visits Plymouth, population 250,000, to see how the services that are vital to a city and its inhabitants are scrabbling to stay afloat. The fishing industry is in meltdown, temporary housing is oversubscribed and nurses facilitate goodbyes over Zoom. Most of all, people are asking: what on earth happens after this?
You can catch up on previous episodes in the series here.You can catch up on previous episodes in the series here.
Speculation about how the lockdown in England might be lifted risks sending “mixed messages” across the UK, the Welsh government has said.Speculation about how the lockdown in England might be lifted risks sending “mixed messages” across the UK, the Welsh government has said.
The Welsh cabinet met this morning to discuss the lockdown restrictions and will meet again this evening. It has not given details of its next steps but said the message for this weekend remained the same – people should stay at home.The Welsh cabinet met this morning to discuss the lockdown restrictions and will meet again this evening. It has not given details of its next steps but said the message for this weekend remained the same – people should stay at home.
In a statement it said:In a statement it said:
The daily Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. Here is what is probably the top line.The daily Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. Here is what is probably the top line.
Boris Johnson has told his cabinet that the government will adopt “maximum caution” as it moves to ease the lockdown. Johnson chaired a cabinet meeting this morning and, according to the prime minister’s spokesman, Johnson told his ministers:Boris Johnson has told his cabinet that the government will adopt “maximum caution” as it moves to ease the lockdown. Johnson chaired a cabinet meeting this morning and, according to the prime minister’s spokesman, Johnson told his ministers:
Some newspapers this morning splashed on stories suggesting that a major shift away from lockdown will start on Monday. Here’s one example.Some newspapers this morning splashed on stories suggesting that a major shift away from lockdown will start on Monday. Here’s one example.
No 10 seems worried about the expectations raised by some of these stories, because the spokesman made a point of stressing that anything happening next week would be “very limited”. He told reporters:No 10 seems worried about the expectations raised by some of these stories, because the spokesman made a point of stressing that anything happening next week would be “very limited”. He told reporters:
I will post more from the briefing shortly.I will post more from the briefing shortly.
This is from Heidi Alexander, the deputy mayor of London for transport and deputy chair of TfL.This is from Heidi Alexander, the deputy mayor of London for transport and deputy chair of TfL.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the London Streetspace plan yesterday. The initiative will create new cycle lanes and wider pavements to accommodate increased demand for walking and cycling, and to enable members of the public to maintain physical distancing.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the London Streetspace plan yesterday. The initiative will create new cycle lanes and wider pavements to accommodate increased demand for walking and cycling, and to enable members of the public to maintain physical distancing.
Similar measures are to be implemented in Greater Manchester in the next few weeks.Similar measures are to be implemented in Greater Manchester in the next few weeks.
The former Labour leader Gordon Brown and Prof Hugh Pennington, one of Scotland’s leading microbiologists who has advised both the UK and Scottish governments, are calling for mass testing “to become the new normal”.The former Labour leader Gordon Brown and Prof Hugh Pennington, one of Scotland’s leading microbiologists who has advised both the UK and Scottish governments, are calling for mass testing “to become the new normal”.
Launching a new paper from Our Scottish Futures thinktank, they said it was now clear that mass testing across the community was the only way to give people the confidence to return to work, but the Scottish government’s testing target for 15,500 tests a day by the end of May is “wholly inadequate”.Launching a new paper from Our Scottish Futures thinktank, they said it was now clear that mass testing across the community was the only way to give people the confidence to return to work, but the Scottish government’s testing target for 15,500 tests a day by the end of May is “wholly inadequate”.
Brown said:Brown said:
He added that it was “a scandal and a tragedy” that care home residents and workers were not being tested as a matter of routine.He added that it was “a scandal and a tragedy” that care home residents and workers were not being tested as a matter of routine.
A secret government report that said the UK was not prepared for a pandemic and forewarned of the Covid-19 crisis in care homes has been published in full by the Guardian.A secret government report that said the UK was not prepared for a pandemic and forewarned of the Covid-19 crisis in care homes has been published in full by the Guardian.
The 2017 report is based on the findings of a government simulation of an influenza pandemic, codenamed Exercise Cygnus. It concluded starkly that Britain was not adequately prepared for a flu-like pandemic’s “extreme demands”.The 2017 report is based on the findings of a government simulation of an influenza pandemic, codenamed Exercise Cygnus. It concluded starkly that Britain was not adequately prepared for a flu-like pandemic’s “extreme demands”.
It is likely to raise questions over whether ministers ever implemented key recommendations pertaining to the care home sector, which has been beset by shortages of PPE to protect staff and vulnerable residents. At least 6,686 people have died in care homes in England and Wales – in some cases single facilities have reported dozens of fatalities.It is likely to raise questions over whether ministers ever implemented key recommendations pertaining to the care home sector, which has been beset by shortages of PPE to protect staff and vulnerable residents. At least 6,686 people have died in care homes in England and Wales – in some cases single facilities have reported dozens of fatalities.
The report contained 26 key recommendations, including boosting the capacity of care homes and the numbers of staff available to work in them. It also warned of the challenge facing homes asked to take in patients from hospitals.The report contained 26 key recommendations, including boosting the capacity of care homes and the numbers of staff available to work in them. It also warned of the challenge facing homes asked to take in patients from hospitals.
Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she sees no case for relaxing Scotland’s strict lockdown regulations on Monday because she believes the country’s coronavirus transmission rate is still worryingly high.Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she sees no case for relaxing Scotland’s strict lockdown regulations on Monday because she believes the country’s coronavirus transmission rate is still worryingly high.
The first minister said she had just been told Boris Johnson planned a teleconference with her and the Welsh and Northern Irish governments this afternoon to discuss his proposals to ease the lockdown in England.The first minister said she had just been told Boris Johnson planned a teleconference with her and the Welsh and Northern Irish governments this afternoon to discuss his proposals to ease the lockdown in England.
She revealed she could agree to relax restrictions on the number of outdoor exercises people were allowed to take, currently limited to one hour outside per day, but only if the scientific evidence justified it.She revealed she could agree to relax restrictions on the number of outdoor exercises people were allowed to take, currently limited to one hour outside per day, but only if the scientific evidence justified it.
The Guardian disclosed yesterday the Scottish and Welsh governments were unhappy at the prime minister’s plan to relax the lockdown without consulting the three devolved governments.The Guardian disclosed yesterday the Scottish and Welsh governments were unhappy at the prime minister’s plan to relax the lockdown without consulting the three devolved governments.
She disclosed that the numbers in Scottish hospitals with Covid-19 had fallen again, with 45 fewer people in hospital overall, leaving a total of 1,587, and the numbers in intensive care down by three, to 86. There were 59 deaths recorded yesterday, taking the total to 1,762.She disclosed that the numbers in Scottish hospitals with Covid-19 had fallen again, with 45 fewer people in hospital overall, leaving a total of 1,587, and the numbers in intensive care down by three, to 86. There were 59 deaths recorded yesterday, taking the total to 1,762.
Sturgeon said the data was welcome, but she feared the Scottish transmission rate was still nearer 1, much higher than was safe for wholesale easing of the restrictions. She said it could be a “potentially catastrophic mistake” to do too soon.Sturgeon said the data was welcome, but she feared the Scottish transmission rate was still nearer 1, much higher than was safe for wholesale easing of the restrictions. She said it could be a “potentially catastrophic mistake” to do too soon.
Hundreds of items of PPE have been donated to a hospital in memory of a woman who died after contracting coronavirus.Hundreds of items of PPE have been donated to a hospital in memory of a woman who died after contracting coronavirus.
Patricia Hughes, 73, was a stalwart of the Morriston Hospital League of Friends and helped raise £2.5m to support care for patients and their families there. She died last month following serious ongoing health problems, and with Covid-19.Patricia Hughes, 73, was a stalwart of the Morriston Hospital League of Friends and helped raise £2.5m to support care for patients and their families there. She died last month following serious ongoing health problems, and with Covid-19.
Colleagues of her husband John, 77, at Tata Steel in Port Talbot have now donated hundreds of items of certified PPE in tribute. His line manager, Mike King, personally delivered 200 face visors and 100 face masks for staff on the frontline at the Swansea hospital. King said:Colleagues of her husband John, 77, at Tata Steel in Port Talbot have now donated hundreds of items of certified PPE in tribute. His line manager, Mike King, personally delivered 200 face visors and 100 face masks for staff on the frontline at the Swansea hospital. King said:
When deciding who to ease lockdown measures, the government needs to know what the likely impact of relaxing each measure is going to have on the rate of infection. Scientists from the University of East Anglia have been looking at this issue and they have concluded that the two safest policies would be lifting stay-at-home orders and letting shops open that are selling non-essential goods.When deciding who to ease lockdown measures, the government needs to know what the likely impact of relaxing each measure is going to have on the rate of infection. Scientists from the University of East Anglia have been looking at this issue and they have concluded that the two safest policies would be lifting stay-at-home orders and letting shops open that are selling non-essential goods.
The UEA press release goes on:The UEA press release goes on:
The press notice is here, and the full academic paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, is here (pdf).The press notice is here, and the full academic paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, is here (pdf).
The research is based on the impact of various social distancing measures in 30 different countries.The research is based on the impact of various social distancing measures in 30 different countries.
Passengers travelling through Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports will be required to cover their faces and wear gloves from Thursday, owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced.Passengers travelling through Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports will be required to cover their faces and wear gloves from Thursday, owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced.
All airport staff serving passengers will wear gloves and face masks, and temperature screening trials will take place over the next few weeks. The airports are also considering requiring passengers to make a health declaration before they are allowed to enter.All airport staff serving passengers will wear gloves and face masks, and temperature screening trials will take place over the next few weeks. The airports are also considering requiring passengers to make a health declaration before they are allowed to enter.
The firm said the move was designed to ensure that the small number of passengers currently making essential journeys through its airports feel safer and more confident about flying, as well as providing a further level of protection to colleagues working at the airport.The firm said the move was designed to ensure that the small number of passengers currently making essential journeys through its airports feel safer and more confident about flying, as well as providing a further level of protection to colleagues working at the airport.
The MAG chief executive, Charlie Cornish, said:The MAG chief executive, Charlie Cornish, said:
Yesterday, Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, announced it will soon begin temperature screening of arriving passengers.Yesterday, Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, announced it will soon begin temperature screening of arriving passengers.
From the BBC’s political editor Laura KuenssbergFrom the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg
Anas Sarwar, a Scottish Labour MSP, has urged the Scottish government to carry out urgent research into the ONS findings that in England and Wales the risk of dying with Covid-19 is significantly higher amongst BAME communities.Anas Sarwar, a Scottish Labour MSP, has urged the Scottish government to carry out urgent research into the ONS findings that in England and Wales the risk of dying with Covid-19 is significantly higher amongst BAME communities.
Sarwar, whose father, Mohammad Sarwar, was the UK’s first Muslim MP, said:Sarwar, whose father, Mohammad Sarwar, was the UK’s first Muslim MP, said:
There are many reasons for thinking that the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has been, as policy types might put it, “sub-optimal”. But there is no evidence that this is having any impact (yet?) on the government’s standing with the electorate. YouGov has published its latest poll this morning and it shows the Conservatives on 50%, ahead of Labour on 30%.There are many reasons for thinking that the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has been, as policy types might put it, “sub-optimal”. But there is no evidence that this is having any impact (yet?) on the government’s standing with the electorate. YouGov has published its latest poll this morning and it shows the Conservatives on 50%, ahead of Labour on 30%.